U.S., coalition weighing creation of Syria buffer zone

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged Wednesday that the U.S. and coalition partners are considering the establishment of a buffer zone in Syria.

Such a discussion, Kerry cautioned, is in its nascent stages.

"It's worth examining. It's worth looking at very, very closely," he said following a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond at the State Department Wednesday.

Hammond said more discussion would be needed "to explore with our allies and partners what is meant by a buffer zone, how such a concept would work..." Kerry pointed out that such an initiative "should not be a problem that is thrust onto Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan," which share borders with Syria.

"We're all in favor of looking at this very closely," Kerry noted, adding "that will clearly be one of the things that [Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL] General Allen will be having discussions on and, subsequently, the active line authority commanders will have discussions on over the course of the next days."