The G8 summit of world leaders ended with the usual positive statements about so-called progress on the main agenda items such as the conflict in Syria and a US-EU trade deal. But Russia blocked a joint G8 statement which would have called for President Assad to step down. President Putin also made it clear that a political solution is the only way to stop the conflict and that the Western plan to arm the rebels would only pour fuel on the fire. The G8 summit received a mixed reception in Northern Ireland itself. Some viewed it as a positive sign of progress in a part of the world which has been blighted by sectarian violence. Others felt that the G8 leaders were war criminals and an international financial mafia governing on behalf of the rich and powerful. Show Less >>