The Latest: Russian official says he met Syrian opposition

VIENNA (AP) — The latest developments in talks on ending the Syrian War (all times local).

2:45 p.m.

A senior Russian diplomat says he has met with some representatives of the Free Syrian Army among other Syrian opposition groups.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov was quoted by state news agency RIA Novosti as saying Thursday that he had had met in Moscow and Cairo with several people who said they represented the FSA. He wouldn't name any names.

Bogdanov added that he also had talks with various other Syrian opposition figures.

Russia has rejected Western criticism of failing to focus its airstrikes in Syria on its declared target, the Islamic State group, and targeting moderate rebels fighting President Bashar Assad's military, such as the FSA.

Bogdanov's claim follows other statements by Russian diplomats, who said Moscow has reached out to various Syrian opposition groups opposed to the IS.

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2:15 p.m.

The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders says there has been an escalation in deaths from airstrike attacks on hospitals in Syria in the last month — roughly the same period Russia began its air campaign in the war-torn country.

The group said in a statement Thursday that 35 Syrian patients and medical staff have died and 72 have been wounded in the attacks in northern Syria's provinces of Aleppo and Idlib and the central provinces of Hama.

These are also provinces where Russian airstrikes have largely been taking place since Sept. 30. Syrian government jets have also continued their attacks in the meantime.

The aid group, also known as MSF according to its French acronym, says 12 hospitals have been targeted in attacks, including six it supports. The attacks have caused five hospitals to shut down.

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12:59 p.m.

Syria has lashed out at Saudi Arabia, saying it is not qualified to play a "productive" role in resolving the Syrian War because it is shedding the blood of Muslims and Arabs there, in Yemen and in Iraq.

The comments by Syria's information minister were aired on pro-state Syrian al-Ikhbariya TV on Thursday. They come ahead of talks in Vienna by major players in the Syrian War, including the U.S. and Russia. For the first time the talks also bring together Saudi Arabia and Iran, a bitter rival and major ally of President Bashar Assad Iran. A day before the meeting, Saudi foreign minister Adel Jubeir said there is no role for Assad in the political transition.

Syria's information minister, Omran al-Zoubi criticized Jubeir, calling him a "servant" who is best silent.

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12:35 p.m.

Russia's Foreign Ministry says international talks in Vienna should help launch an inter-Syrian political dialogue and achieve political settlement.

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at Thursday's briefing that Moscow is satisfied to see that Iran and Egypt have been invited to join the talks among other participants.

She said using the potential of all regional players is essential for the success of the talks and unilateral approaches won't work.

She voiced the hope that the talks will be frank and constructive.

Zakharova again rejected allegations that Russia's air campaign in Syria has caused civilian casualties as lies, reaffirming that the Russian warplanes only target terrorist infrastructure.

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11:50 a.m.

Syria's exiled opposition is rejecting any role for President Bashar Assad in the political transition "even for one day" ahead of talks on ending the country's civil war.

In a statement Thursday, Syrian National Coalition member Bassam Abdullah warned against wasting time on political initiatives like Vienna, saying they are attempts to allow the military time to regain territories from rebels.

Abdullah's comments come as diplomats converge on Vienna for talks by key players in the Syrian civil war now entering its fifth year.

The talks are attended by the U.S., Russia, and bitter regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, the first time the two nations to discuss Syria.

Abdullah made the statement after holding meetings in Germany with the U.S. envoy to Syria Michael Ratney.