Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has expressed regret for the downing of a Turkish air jet that stoked tensions with neighboring Turkey last month. Speaking to a Turkish newspaper, Assad said he would not allow the incident to escalate into combat between the two countries. In other Syria news, dozens of members of Syria’s opposition met in Cairo on Monday to formulate a new transition from Assad’s rule. Syrian rebels boycotted the gathering, calling it a potential front for foreign intervention.