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Syria conflict: Disputes flare over UN resolution Syria conflict: Disputes flare over UN resolution
(35 minutes later)
A Russian plan for Syria's chemical weapons to be put under international control has sparked immediate disputes over resolutions at the United Nations.A Russian plan for Syria's chemical weapons to be put under international control has sparked immediate disputes over resolutions at the United Nations.
The UK, US and France want a timetable and consequences of failure spelt out, and Washington has warned it will "not fall for stalling tactics".The UK, US and France want a timetable and consequences of failure spelt out, and Washington has warned it will "not fall for stalling tactics".
Russia said any draft putting the blame on Syria was unacceptable and urged a declaration backing its initiative.Russia said any draft putting the blame on Syria was unacceptable and urged a declaration backing its initiative.
Syria has said it accepts the Russian proposal on its chemical stockpile.Syria has said it accepts the Russian proposal on its chemical stockpile.
Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said on Tuesday that Damascus was willing to become a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, Russian Interfax news agency reported,
"We are ready to honour our commitments under this convention, including providing information about these weapons," he said.
The US alleges that Syrian government forces carried out a chemical weapons attack in Damascus on 21 August, killing 1,429 people.The US alleges that Syrian government forces carried out a chemical weapons attack in Damascus on 21 August, killing 1,429 people.
The Syrian government blames the attack on rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, in a conflict that the UN says has claimed some 100,000 lives.The Syrian government blames the attack on rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, in a conflict that the UN says has claimed some 100,000 lives.
The UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting on Syria at 20:00 GMT.The UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting on Syria at 20:00 GMT.
'Hard look''Hard look'
UK government sources have told the BBC that the exact wording of the joint US, French and British resolution on Syria's chemical weapons is still to be agreed.UK government sources have told the BBC that the exact wording of the joint US, French and British resolution on Syria's chemical weapons is still to be agreed.
The BBC's Nick Robinson says diplomats from the three allies are said to be discussing the questions of "what, where, when, who and how" - in other words what weapons should be removed from Syria, where should they be taken to, according to what timetable and who should supervise it.The BBC's Nick Robinson says diplomats from the three allies are said to be discussing the questions of "what, where, when, who and how" - in other words what weapons should be removed from Syria, where should they be taken to, according to what timetable and who should supervise it.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his French counterpart Laurent Fabius on Tuesday that it would not countenance a resolution threatening Syria with force.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his French counterpart Laurent Fabius on Tuesday that it would not countenance a resolution threatening Syria with force.
"Mr Lavrov stressed that France's proposal to seek approval at the UN Security Council for a resolution... that puts the responsibility for the possible use of chemical weapons on the Syrian authorities is unacceptable," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement."Mr Lavrov stressed that France's proposal to seek approval at the UN Security Council for a resolution... that puts the responsibility for the possible use of chemical weapons on the Syrian authorities is unacceptable," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the UN motion should ensure that Russia's offer was "not a ruse".Earlier, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the UN motion should ensure that Russia's offer was "not a ruse".
"We need a proper timetable, process and consequences if it's not done," he said."We need a proper timetable, process and consequences if it's not done," he said.
Our correspondent says there is also wrangling over whether the resolution should be Chapter 7 or Chapter 6.Our correspondent says there is also wrangling over whether the resolution should be Chapter 7 or Chapter 6.
Chapter 7 permits military action if other measures do not succeed. Chapter 6 stipulates peaceful methods of resolving disputes.Chapter 7 permits military action if other measures do not succeed. Chapter 6 stipulates peaceful methods of resolving disputes.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says days or even weeks of wrangling can be expected in the Security Council.BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says days or even weeks of wrangling can be expected in the Security Council.
The test will be whether they can - this time- come up with a formulation they can all agree on, she says.The test will be whether they can - this time- come up with a formulation they can all agree on, she says.
'American aggression''American aggression'
US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier told a hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee the US was waiting for details of the Russian proposal on chemical weapons, "but we're not waiting for long".US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier told a hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee the US was waiting for details of the Russian proposal on chemical weapons, "but we're not waiting for long".
He said: "President Obama will take a hard look at it. But it has to be swift, it has to be real, it has to be verifiable.He said: "President Obama will take a hard look at it. But it has to be swift, it has to be real, it has to be verifiable.
"We have to show Syria, Russia and the world we are not going to fall for stalling tactics.""We have to show Syria, Russia and the world we are not going to fall for stalling tactics."
Mr Kerry urged Congress to stand by Mr Obama, saying the president was not asking for a declaration of war, simply for the power to show that the US "means what we say".Mr Kerry urged Congress to stand by Mr Obama, saying the president was not asking for a declaration of war, simply for the power to show that the US "means what we say".
There have been few details so far of Russia's plan, but Mr Lavrov said earlier in Moscow that it was "preparing a concrete proposal which will be presented to all interested sides, including the US... a workable, specific, concrete plan".There have been few details so far of Russia's plan, but Mr Lavrov said earlier in Moscow that it was "preparing a concrete proposal which will be presented to all interested sides, including the US... a workable, specific, concrete plan".
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, who is in Moscow, was quoted by Russian news agency Interfax as saying: "We held a very fruitful round of talks with [Mr Lavrov] yesterday and he proposed an initiative relating to chemical weapons. And in the evening, we agreed to the Russian initiative."Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, who is in Moscow, was quoted by Russian news agency Interfax as saying: "We held a very fruitful round of talks with [Mr Lavrov] yesterday and he proposed an initiative relating to chemical weapons. And in the evening, we agreed to the Russian initiative."
This would "remove the grounds for American aggression", he said.This would "remove the grounds for American aggression", he said.
The US Senate had been expected to vote this week on a resolution authorising military force, but the Russian plan has led to a postponement.The US Senate had been expected to vote this week on a resolution authorising military force, but the Russian plan has led to a postponement.
Mr Kerry said that "nothing has changed with respect to our request for the Congress to take action" but that Mr Obama might want to discuss the timing of a vote with congressional leaders.Mr Kerry said that "nothing has changed with respect to our request for the Congress to take action" but that Mr Obama might want to discuss the timing of a vote with congressional leaders.
Mr Lavrov said the Russian initiative was "not a purely Russian initiative... it grew out of contacts we've had with the Americans".Mr Lavrov said the Russian initiative was "not a purely Russian initiative... it grew out of contacts we've had with the Americans".
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Obama discussed the idea on the sidelines of a G20 summit last week, Mr Putin's spokesman said on Tuesday.Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Obama discussed the idea on the sidelines of a G20 summit last week, Mr Putin's spokesman said on Tuesday.
Mr Obama's prime-time television address to the nation is still scheduled to go ahead on Tuesday evening, and the White House said he still planned to use it to argue that Congress should authorise the use of force if required.Mr Obama's prime-time television address to the nation is still scheduled to go ahead on Tuesday evening, and the White House said he still planned to use it to argue that Congress should authorise the use of force if required.
Watch President Obama's address to the nation live on the BBC News website at 21:00 EDT on Tuesday (01:00 GMT/02:00 BST Wednesday).Watch President Obama's address to the nation live on the BBC News website at 21:00 EDT on Tuesday (01:00 GMT/02:00 BST Wednesday).