Talks in Geneva between the two sides in Syria’s conflict remain deadlocked over the future role of President Bashar al-Assad. Another issue at stake is the delivery of aid to the besieged city of Homs. U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said the situation there is desperate.

Jen Psaki: “We firmly believe that the Syrian regime must approve the convoys to deliver badly needed humanitarian assistance into the old city of Homs now. The situation is desperate, and the people are starving. What the regime has proposed, an evacuation of women and children from the old city, is not sufficient. Civilians must be allowed to come and go freely, but the people of Homs must not be forced to leave their homes and split up their families before receiving much-needed food and other aid.”