This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2018/apr/13/syria-crisis-corbyn-accuses-may-of-waiting-for-trumps-instructions-live-updates
The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 13 | Version 14 |
|---|---|
| Syria crisis: Russia claims Douma chemical attack was staged – live | Syria crisis: Russia claims Douma chemical attack was staged – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| My colleague Jessica Elgot has learned that both Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable are receiving security briefings on Syria today. | |
| Understand Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable are receiving security briefings this afternoon on Syria. | |
| United Nations war crimes investigators today condemned the suspected use of chemical weapons in the Syrian town of Douma in eastern Ghouta and called for evidence to be preserved with a view to future prosecutions. | United Nations war crimes investigators today condemned the suspected use of chemical weapons in the Syrian town of Douma in eastern Ghouta and called for evidence to be preserved with a view to future prosecutions. |
| International chemical weapons experts were travelling to Syria to investigate an alleged gas attack by government forces on Douma which killed dozens of people. | International chemical weapons experts were travelling to Syria to investigate an alleged gas attack by government forces on Douma which killed dozens of people. |
| The UN international commission of inquiry on Syria said in a statement: | The UN international commission of inquiry on Syria said in a statement: |
| Perpetrators of such attacks must be identified and held accountable. We stress the imperative need to preserve evidence, and call upon all relevant authorities to ensure no party tampers with suspected sites, objects, witnesses, or victims before independent monitors and investigators are able to access the area. | Perpetrators of such attacks must be identified and held accountable. We stress the imperative need to preserve evidence, and call upon all relevant authorities to ensure no party tampers with suspected sites, objects, witnesses, or victims before independent monitors and investigators are able to access the area. |
| French UN ambassador Francois Delattre said that the Syrian government’s decision to again use chemical weapons meant they had “reached a point of no return” and the world must provide a “robust, united and steadfast response”. | French UN ambassador Francois Delattre said that the Syrian government’s decision to again use chemical weapons meant they had “reached a point of no return” and the world must provide a “robust, united and steadfast response”. |
| He told the UN security council: | He told the UN security council: |
| In deciding to once again use chemical weapons the regime has reached a point of no return. France will shoulder its responsibility to end an intolerable threat to our collective security. | In deciding to once again use chemical weapons the regime has reached a point of no return. France will shoulder its responsibility to end an intolerable threat to our collective security. |
| Yousif Al Bustani, 27, from Douma, Syria, had to flee to the Aleppo countryside five days ago following the chemical attack. | Yousif Al Bustani, 27, from Douma, Syria, had to flee to the Aleppo countryside five days ago following the chemical attack. |
| In response to Donald Trump’s threats of military action, told me: | In response to Donald Trump’s threats of military action, told me: |
| I’m like a large number of Syrian people who is in support of attacking Assad’s regime but not to destroying Syria. This is a criminal regime surrounded by a bunch of gangsters, they have killed people and destroyed cities. Attacking Bashar has been the demand of the Syrian people for more than five years not just today. | I’m like a large number of Syrian people who is in support of attacking Assad’s regime but not to destroying Syria. This is a criminal regime surrounded by a bunch of gangsters, they have killed people and destroyed cities. Attacking Bashar has been the demand of the Syrian people for more than five years not just today. |
| We want Trump to shell the presidential palace, security sites, army bases and militias bases. We do not consider these sites to be part of Syria but part of the Russian and Iranian occupation of Syria. I have no problem at all if these sites are levelled to the ground, they are the source of all evils. The aim of the attack should not be only attacking the regime, it should force Bashar to step down and to be summoned before a tribunal for all his massacres against the Syrian people, of which some are documented and many others are not. | We want Trump to shell the presidential palace, security sites, army bases and militias bases. We do not consider these sites to be part of Syria but part of the Russian and Iranian occupation of Syria. I have no problem at all if these sites are levelled to the ground, they are the source of all evils. The aim of the attack should not be only attacking the regime, it should force Bashar to step down and to be summoned before a tribunal for all his massacres against the Syrian people, of which some are documented and many others are not. |
| Frankly speaking, I have no confidence in any state especially the US administration, which only takes care of its own interests. The Americans themselves have helped in lengthening the suffering of the Syrian people for more than seven years now by not arming the Syrian rebels with anti air missiles rockets. They did not do anything to protect the Syrian people and at the same time, they did not allow the Syrian people to protect themselves. The Syrian people are used now by the Americans as a means of pressure on the Russians. | Frankly speaking, I have no confidence in any state especially the US administration, which only takes care of its own interests. The Americans themselves have helped in lengthening the suffering of the Syrian people for more than seven years now by not arming the Syrian rebels with anti air missiles rockets. They did not do anything to protect the Syrian people and at the same time, they did not allow the Syrian people to protect themselves. The Syrian people are used now by the Americans as a means of pressure on the Russians. |
| I have no problem with any state in the world who wants to help in toppling the regime though it is difficult to predict what the Americans can do. | I have no problem with any state in the world who wants to help in toppling the regime though it is difficult to predict what the Americans can do. |
| US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that Washington estimates that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s forces have used chemical weapons at least 50 times during the seven-year-long conflict. | US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that Washington estimates that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s forces have used chemical weapons at least 50 times during the seven-year-long conflict. |
| She told the UN security council: | She told the UN security council: |
| Our President has not yet made a decision about possible action in Syria. But should the United States and our allies decide to act in Syria, it will be in defense of a principle on which we all agree. | Our President has not yet made a decision about possible action in Syria. But should the United States and our allies decide to act in Syria, it will be in defense of a principle on which we all agree. |
| All nations and all people will be harmed if we allow Assad to normalize the use of chemical weapons. | All nations and all people will be harmed if we allow Assad to normalize the use of chemical weapons. |
| Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has told the UN Security Council that the United States, France and Britain are only interested in ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s government and containing Russia. | Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has told the UN Security Council that the United States, France and Britain are only interested in ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s government and containing Russia. |
| He said: | He said: |
| We continue to observe dangerous military preparations for an illegal act of force against a sovereign state in what would constitute a breach of international law. We call on the leadership of these states to immediately reconsider. | We continue to observe dangerous military preparations for an illegal act of force against a sovereign state in what would constitute a breach of international law. We call on the leadership of these states to immediately reconsider. |
| The sole thing they have an interest in is to oust the Syrian government and more broadly to contain the Russian Federation. | The sole thing they have an interest in is to oust the Syrian government and more broadly to contain the Russian Federation. |
| United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the Security Council on Syria, urged all states “to act responsibly in these dangerous circumstances.” | United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the Security Council on Syria, urged all states “to act responsibly in these dangerous circumstances.” |
| He told the 15-member council: | He told the 15-member council: |
| Increasing tensions and the inability to reach a compromise in the establishment of an accountability mechanism threaten to lead to a full-blown military escalation. | Increasing tensions and the inability to reach a compromise in the establishment of an accountability mechanism threaten to lead to a full-blown military escalation. |
| Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has written a thread on Twitter arguing that joining a US strike would be “folly” and that Britain should pursue humanitarian and diplomatic support while also “suspending sales of arms and chemical weapon precursors”. | Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has written a thread on Twitter arguing that joining a US strike would be “folly” and that Britain should pursue humanitarian and diplomatic support while also “suspending sales of arms and chemical weapon precursors”. |
| He points out that Britain approved export licences to Syria for the sale of chemicals between 2004 and 2012. | He points out that Britain approved export licences to Syria for the sale of chemicals between 2004 and 2012. |
| It is worth noting that the British Government approved exports of dual use precursors for chemical weapons including sarin to Syria between 2004 and 2012, after the civil war began and after Assad was accused of using gas. CAEC report (2015): pic.twitter.com/TsvthAcZRR | It is worth noting that the British Government approved exports of dual use precursors for chemical weapons including sarin to Syria between 2004 and 2012, after the civil war began and after Assad was accused of using gas. CAEC report (2015): pic.twitter.com/TsvthAcZRR |
| He adds: | He adds: |
| I have sympathy with the desire to act; to try and enforce both international law and to show Syria that it cannot continue to poison its citizens. But there is no way to bomb Syria into the country we want it to be. | I have sympathy with the desire to act; to try and enforce both international law and to show Syria that it cannot continue to poison its citizens. But there is no way to bomb Syria into the country we want it to be. |
| RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus is at the sharp end of the British military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Rumour is rife on the island that the installation would be targeted if Russia were to retaliate in the event of US-led military action in Syria. | RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus is at the sharp end of the British military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Rumour is rife on the island that the installation would be targeted if Russia were to retaliate in the event of US-led military action in Syria. |
| At last count, Britain’s main forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East had eight typhoon and six tornado fighter bombers ready for action. | At last count, Britain’s main forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East had eight typhoon and six tornado fighter bombers ready for action. |
| Here’s what we know so far: | Here’s what we know so far: |
| Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, claimed Moscow had “irrefutable” evidence that the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria was staged with the help of a foreign secret service. He did not provide evidence for the claim. Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, said the UK-funded White Helmets were behind fake reports about the incident. | Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, claimed Moscow had “irrefutable” evidence that the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria was staged with the help of a foreign secret service. He did not provide evidence for the claim. Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, said the UK-funded White Helmets were behind fake reports about the incident. |
| French President Emmanuel Macron has called for more dialogue with Russia in in a phone call with his Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin. “The president of the republic called for dialogue with Russia to be maintained and stepped up to bring peace and stability back to Syria,” a statement from Macron’s office said. | French President Emmanuel Macron has called for more dialogue with Russia in in a phone call with his Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin. “The president of the republic called for dialogue with Russia to be maintained and stepped up to bring peace and stability back to Syria,” a statement from Macron’s office said. |
| Russia tested the use of door handles as a way of delivering nerve agents and targeted the email accounts of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, according to previously classified intelligence over the Salisbury attack. | Russia tested the use of door handles as a way of delivering nerve agents and targeted the email accounts of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, according to previously classified intelligence over the Salisbury attack. |
| Ambassador Yakovenko has demanded proof that Yulia Skripal is alive and well. He announced that Russia is lodging an official challenge to the way the UK investigated the incident and claimed evidence was being destroyed. He denied Russia had produce or stored novichok or tracked the Skripals but said he not seen the UK’s latest dossier. | Ambassador Yakovenko has demanded proof that Yulia Skripal is alive and well. He announced that Russia is lodging an official challenge to the way the UK investigated the incident and claimed evidence was being destroyed. He denied Russia had produce or stored novichok or tracked the Skripals but said he not seen the UK’s latest dossier. |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused the government of “waiting for instructions” from Donald Trump adding that military intervention risks “escalating an already devastating conflict”. He also called for a UN-led investigation of the chemical weapons attack in Douma. | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused the government of “waiting for instructions” from Donald Trump adding that military intervention risks “escalating an already devastating conflict”. He also called for a UN-led investigation of the chemical weapons attack in Douma. |
| There are growing calls for the government to give MPs a vote before launching any military intervention in Syria. Labour is actively exploring ways to bring a debate on any military action to parliament, but will have difficulty forcing a Commons vote. | There are growing calls for the government to give MPs a vote before launching any military intervention in Syria. Labour is actively exploring ways to bring a debate on any military action to parliament, but will have difficulty forcing a Commons vote. |
| Donald Trump has been tweeting today but so far not about Syria. The target for his insults today is the former FBI director James Comey. | Donald Trump has been tweeting today but so far not about Syria. The target for his insults today is the former FBI director James Comey. |
| James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired. He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH. He is a weak and..... | James Comey is a proven LEAKER & LIAR. Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired. He leaked CLASSIFIED information, for which he should be prosecuted. He lied to Congress under OATH. He is a weak and..... |
| ....untruthful slime ball who was, as time has proven, a terrible Director of the FBI. His handling of the Crooked Hillary Clinton case, and the events surrounding it, will go down as one of the worst “botch jobs” of history. It was my great honor to fire James Comey! | ....untruthful slime ball who was, as time has proven, a terrible Director of the FBI. His handling of the Crooked Hillary Clinton case, and the events surrounding it, will go down as one of the worst “botch jobs” of history. It was my great honor to fire James Comey! |
| Ambassador Yakovenko says Russia was not tracking Sergei Skripal in the UK. “We want to know what happened in this country, because Russia was blamed. We want to know the truth,” he said. | Ambassador Yakovenko says Russia was not tracking Sergei Skripal in the UK. “We want to know what happened in this country, because Russia was blamed. We want to know the truth,” he said. |
| If Yulia Skripal claims political asylum in the UK that’s a decision for her, he said. “We want to hear her story. We want to have a fully-fledged investigation. Theresa May has said Russia was behind this. We want to see the evidence,” Yakovenko said. | If Yulia Skripal claims political asylum in the UK that’s a decision for her, he said. “We want to hear her story. We want to have a fully-fledged investigation. Theresa May has said Russia was behind this. We want to see the evidence,” Yakovenko said. |
| “We didn’t produce novichok. We never had it. We never stored it in the army,” Yakovenko added. | “We didn’t produce novichok. We never had it. We never stored it in the army,” Yakovenko added. |
| He added that Russia will send an official request today to the UK challenging its inspection into the Salisbury incident. | He added that Russia will send an official request today to the UK challenging its inspection into the Salisbury incident. |