This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24072799

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Syria crisis: 'Hope for peace' as US-Russia talks begin Syria crisis: Tense US-Russia talks on chemicals deal
(35 minutes later)
The Russian and US foreign ministers have begun a crucial meeting in Geneva on a plan to place Syria's chemical weapons under international control.The Russian and US foreign ministers have begun a crucial meeting in Geneva on a plan to place Syria's chemical weapons under international control.
Sergei Lavrov and John Kerry said they hoped the plan could avoid military action against Syria.Sergei Lavrov and John Kerry said they hoped the plan could avoid military action against Syria.
The UN has confirmed it has received documents from Syria on joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, a key step in the Russian plan.The UN has confirmed it has received documents from Syria on joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, a key step in the Russian plan.
Syria's president said it would submit arms data one month after signing.Syria's president said it would submit arms data one month after signing.
The US accuses the Syrian government of killing hundreds in a chemical attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August. The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels.The US accuses the Syrian government of killing hundreds in a chemical attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August. The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels.
Russia announced its proposal for dealing with the escalating chemical weapons crisis on Monday, as the US Congress was preparing to vote on whether to back President Barack Obama's moves towards military strikes. Russia announced its proposal for dealing with the escalating chemical weapons crisis on Monday, as the US Congress was preparing to debate whether to back President Barack Obama's moves towards military strikes.
'Doable but difficult''Doable but difficult'
In a press conference ahead of the Geneva talks, Foreign Minister Lavrov said the resolution of the chemical weapons issue in Syria would make any military strike by the United States unnecessary. In a news conference ahead of the Geneva talks, Foreign Minister Lavrov said the resolution of the chemical weapons issue in Syria would make any military strike by the United States unnecessary.
He said there had to be a move away from military confrontation, and that successful talks could lead to a "Geneva 2" meeting.He said there had to be a move away from military confrontation, and that successful talks could lead to a "Geneva 2" meeting.
Secretary of State Kerry said that only the threat of force had spurred Syria to accept relinquishing its chemical weapons, but that he hoped diplomacy could prevent military action.Secretary of State Kerry said that only the threat of force had spurred Syria to accept relinquishing its chemical weapons, but that he hoped diplomacy could prevent military action.
He said the expectations for the meeting were high - particularly for Russia.He said the expectations for the meeting were high - particularly for Russia.
Mr Kerry said: "This is not a game... it has to be real, it has to be comprehensive, it has to be verifiable, it has to be credible, it has to be... implemented in a timely fashion." Mr Kerry said: "This is not a game... it has to be real, it has to be comprehensive, it has to be verifiable, it has to be credible, it has to be... implemented in a timely fashion... Finally, there ought to be consequences if it doesn't take place."
He also rejected President Bashar al-Assad's suggestion of a 30-day timetable for submitting chemical weapons data. He added: "President Obama has made clear that should diplomacy fail, force might be necessary."
Mr Kerry added: "President Obama has made clear that should diplomacy fail, force might be necessary."
Mr Lavrov appeared to admonish Mr Kerry for making a political address. Mr Kerry failed to hear the translation of Mr Lavrov's final words and asked to hear them again.Mr Lavrov appeared to admonish Mr Kerry for making a political address. Mr Kerry failed to hear the translation of Mr Lavrov's final words and asked to hear them again.
Mr Lavrov said in English, "It's OK John", only for Mr Kerry to say, smiling: "You want me to take your word for it - it's a little early for that." Mr Lavrov said in English, "It's OK, John", only for Mr Kerry to say, smiling: "You want me to take your word for it - it's a little early for that."
The BBC's James Robbins, in Geneva, says these are critical talks, aimed at breaking two and a half years of deadlock over Syria. The BBC's James Robbins, in Geneva, says these are critical talks, aimed at breaking two-and-a-half years of deadlock over Syria.
Our correspondent says the American and Russian teams are unusually large - packed with weapons experts as well as diplomats.Our correspondent says the American and Russian teams are unusually large - packed with weapons experts as well as diplomats.
He says the idea is that detailed talks on the practicalities of chemical disarmament will run in parallel with the hard political graft between Mr Kerry and Mr Lavrov - but it is expected to be a lengthy process, as each side tests the other hard to see if they really can find common ground.He says the idea is that detailed talks on the practicalities of chemical disarmament will run in parallel with the hard political graft between Mr Kerry and Mr Lavrov - but it is expected to be a lengthy process, as each side tests the other hard to see if they really can find common ground.
US officials had earlier described Russia's plan as "doable but difficult".US officials had earlier described Russia's plan as "doable but difficult".
Mr Lavrov also gave an outline of the three main phases of the proposal:Mr Lavrov also gave an outline of the three main phases of the proposal:
Before meeting Mr Lavrov, Mr Kerry held talks with UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi. Before meeting Mr Lavrov, Mr Kerry held talks with the UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi.
'Not unilateral''Not unilateral'
President Assad earlier appeared on Russian TV to confirm that his country's chemical weapons would be placed under international control but insisted that "US threats did not influence the decision". President Bashar al-Assad earlier appeared on Russian TV to confirm that his country's chemical weapons would be placed under international control but insisted that "US threats did not influence the decision".
In his interview, Mr Assad told state-run Rossiya 24 that Syria was sending relevant documents to the UN as part of the process of signing the Chemical Weapons Convention. The UN has confirmed receipt. In his interview, Mr Assad told state-run Rossiya 24 that Syria was sending relevant documents to the UN as part of the process of signing the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Mr Assad said Syria would then submit information on its chemical weapons one month after signing. Syria's UN envoy Bashar Jaafari later said that "legally speaking", Syria was now a full member of the convention.
He also said that Russia's proposal was "not unilateral", adding: "Syria will accept it if America stops military threats and if other countries supplying the rebels with chemical weapons also abide by the agreement." However, a UK spokesman at the UN said: "The procedures of the Chemical Weapons Convention assume a good faith and a commitment on the part of the acceding state which simply cannot be extended to Syria immediately after it has used chemical weapons against its own people."
The US postponed plans to launch military strikes on Syria after Russia proposed the disarmament. Mr Assad said that Russia's proposal was "not unilateral", adding: "Syria will accept it if America stops military threats and if other countries supplying the rebels with chemical weapons also abide by the agreement."
The main Syrian armed rebel group has already refused to co-operate on the plan.The main Syrian armed rebel group has already refused to co-operate on the plan.
Gen Salim Idriss of the Free Syrian Army said he categorically rejected it, and insisted that the most important thing was to punish the perpetrators of chemical attacks.Gen Salim Idriss of the Free Syrian Army said he categorically rejected it, and insisted that the most important thing was to punish the perpetrators of chemical attacks.
If the talks in Geneva are successful, the US hopes the disarmament process will be agreed in a UN Security Council resolution.If the talks in Geneva are successful, the US hopes the disarmament process will be agreed in a UN Security Council resolution.
However, Russia regards as unacceptable any resolution backed by military force, or a resolution that blames the Syrian government for chemical attacks.However, Russia regards as unacceptable any resolution backed by military force, or a resolution that blames the Syrian government for chemical attacks.
Moscow has already objected to a draft resolution that would be enforced by Chapter VII of the UN charter, which would in effect sanction the use of force if Syria failed in its obligations.Moscow has already objected to a draft resolution that would be enforced by Chapter VII of the UN charter, which would in effect sanction the use of force if Syria failed in its obligations.
Russia, supported by China, has blocked three previous draft resolutions condemning the Assad government.Russia, supported by China, has blocked three previous draft resolutions condemning the Assad government.
More than 100,000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011.More than 100,000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011.