“We strongly endorse the decision to hold as soon as possible the Geneva Conference on Syria to implement fully the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012, which sets out a number of key steps beginning with agreement on a transitional governing body with full executive powers, formed by mutual consent,” the communiqué stated.

However, the final communiqué failed to mention the fate of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Instead it condemned the use of chemical weapons generally and said the UN should be allowed to do an objective investigation.

The G8 leaders also expressed their deep concern “at the appalling human tragedy” that the UN estimates has cost the lives of over 93,000 people and led to 4.2 million internally displaced persons and 1.6 million refugees.

“We acknowledge the vital humanitarian role played by neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugees, above all Lebanon and Jordan, in dealing with the significant economic and security pressures they are facing as a result of the conflict and refugee influx,” it added.

Meanwhile, divisions remained as Russia stood by its embattled ally rejecting reports of Assad’s regime using chemical weapons and said at his closing news conference that there is no proof that the Syrian government used the weapons.

The Syria conflict has put at odds Russia and Washington saying last week that it would start arming the rebels against the Syrian regime.

Putin, said that Russia would not rule out new arms supplies.

“We are supplying arms to the legitimate government in accordance with legal contracts,” Putin told a news conference according to AFP.

G8 leaders pledged around $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid with President Obama announcing over $300 million alone in additional life-saving humanitarian assistance.

Other issues that dominated the meeting were tax evasion and transparency.

G8 leaders said it is “their imperative” to promote growth and jobs to reinvigorate the global economy, and gave their backing to Greece remaining in the eurozone, according to Reuters.

“We agree on the importance of a strong and cohesive Eurozone for global stability and recovery, and we affirm our interest in Greece remaining in the eurozone while respecting its commitments,” the leaders said in the communique issued after the meeting at Camp David on Saturday.

“Against this backdrop, we commit to take all necessary steps to strengthen and reinvigorate our economies and combat
financial stresses, recognising that the right measures are not the same for each of us,” said the communique.

Earlier, Obama opened the morning session, saying that a lot of time must be spent on economic issues promising to seek ways to re-establish healthy growth and jobs and address concerns in Europe.

Obama has said the G8 was committed to growth, stability and fiscal consolidation, as leaders tried to bridge divisions on how to deal with the deepening eurozone crisis, Reuters reported.

Obama indicated a balanced approach was needed as “part of an overall package that all of us have to pursue in order to achieve the kind of prosperity for our citizens that we’re looking for”.

G8 member countries are the United States, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Russia and Japan.

After the meeting at Camp David, leaders will gather for the two-day NATO summit meeting in Chicago, where issues such as Afghanistan will be discussed.