US Secretary of State John Kerry and King Salman of Saudi Arabia on Saturday called for greater international efforts to find a solution for the current crisis in Syria.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and King Salman of Saudi Arabia on Saturday called for greater international efforts to find a solution for the current crisis in Syria.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the two countries meanwhile noted that the transitional period in Syria will be without President Basha al-Assad.

“Both sides noted the importance of mobilizing the international community to support this goal and reiterated the need for a transition away from Assad.”

"They pledged to continue and intensify support to the moderate Syrian opposition while the political track is being pursued."

Kerry flew in to Riyadh from Amman where he held separate talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Palestinian-Israeli unrest.

He first went into a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir before heading out to Dhiraya Farm, the king's country residence.

Kerry thanked the king "for Saudi Arabia's support to multilateral efforts to pursue a political transition in Syria," Kirby said.