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-24075787

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Kerry calls Syria chemical weapons talks 'constructive' Kerry calls Syria chemical weapons talks 'constructive'
(about 1 hour later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has described as "constructive" talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on securing Syria's chemical weapons.US Secretary of State John Kerry has described as "constructive" talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on securing Syria's chemical weapons.
The two men began a second day of talks in Geneva by meeting UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to discuss the wider issue of peace in Syria.The two men began a second day of talks in Geneva by meeting UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to discuss the wider issue of peace in Syria.
Talks between Mr Kerry and Mr Lavrov on the weapons issue began on Thursday and could continue over the weekend.Talks between Mr Kerry and Mr Lavrov on the weapons issue began on Thursday and could continue over the weekend.
Mr Kerry said they were working hard to find "common ground".Mr Kerry said they were working hard to find "common ground".
The BBC's Paul Adams in Geneva says this is a moment of diplomatic momentum over Syria that has not been seen for a couple of years and both parties want to make the most of that. The BBC's James Robbins in Geneva says the two powers will work over the next few weeks to try to revive wider peace talks to end Syria's civil war, but until they reach agreement on the narrower issues of chemical weapons, that feels like a distant prospect.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called Damascus's decision to join the Chemical Weapons Convention "an important step towards the resolution of the Syrian crisis" and said it showed the "serious intention" of President Bashar al-Assad "to follow this path". In other developments on Friday:
The leaders of Syria's other key allies, China and Iran - meeting at a regional summit in Kyrgyzstan - also welcomed President Assad's move.
But Syrian rebels say it will not stop the killing. Free Syrian Army spokesperson Louay Moqdad told the BBC that Mr Assad still had plenty of conventional weapons at his disposal and was attempting to "buy time" with the help of the Russians.
Separately, UN war crimes investigators have accused government forces of deliberately targeting hospitals in opposition-controlled areas of Syria as part of a campaign to use "the denial of medical care as a weapon of war".
But, in their report, the investigators also said they had evidence that "some anti-government armed groups have attacked hospitals in certain areas".
'Deeply committed''Deeply committed'
Mr Kerry and Mr Lavrov met UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi at the UN headquarters in Geneva to discuss his attempts to keep efforts for a peace process on the table.Mr Kerry and Mr Lavrov met UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi at the UN headquarters in Geneva to discuss his attempts to keep efforts for a peace process on the table.
Speaking afterwards at a brief news conference, Mr Kerry said they planned to meet again on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later in the month to try to set a date for a long-delayed peace conference known as Geneva 2.Speaking afterwards at a brief news conference, Mr Kerry said they planned to meet again on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later in the month to try to set a date for a long-delayed peace conference known as Geneva 2.
He said his talks with Mr Lavrov so far had been "constructive" but progress in New York would depend on "the capacity to have success here in the next hours, days, on the subject of the chemical weapons".He said his talks with Mr Lavrov so far had been "constructive" but progress in New York would depend on "the capacity to have success here in the next hours, days, on the subject of the chemical weapons".
He said both the US and Russia were "deeply committed to a negotiated solution" to the conflict in Syria and he and Mr Lavrov were "working hard to find the common ground to be able to make that happen".He said both the US and Russia were "deeply committed to a negotiated solution" to the conflict in Syria and he and Mr Lavrov were "working hard to find the common ground to be able to make that happen".
Mr Lavrov said he welcomed the chance to discuss the "longer term goal" of peace in Syria, and that now Syria had joined the Chemical Weapons Convention it was necessary "to design a road which would make sure that this issue is resolved quickly, professionally, as soon as is practical".Mr Lavrov said he welcomed the chance to discuss the "longer term goal" of peace in Syria, and that now Syria had joined the Chemical Weapons Convention it was necessary "to design a road which would make sure that this issue is resolved quickly, professionally, as soon as is practical".
The US and Russia have sent large teams to Geneva that include weapons experts as well as diplomats.The US and Russia have sent large teams to Geneva that include weapons experts as well as diplomats.
If the talks are successful, the US hopes the disarmament process will be agreed in a UN Security Council resolution.If the talks 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 UN resolutions condemning the Assad government.Russia, supported by China, has blocked three previous draft UN resolutions condemning the Assad government.
Syria conditions UN report
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.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.
The UN on Thursday confirmed it had received documents from Syria on joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, a key step in the Russian plan, but did not immediately say if it had accepted the application.The UN on Thursday confirmed it had received documents from Syria on joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, a key step in the Russian plan, but did not immediately say if it had accepted the application.
Syria's envoy to the UN, Bashar Jaafari, said that "legally speaking", Syria was now a full member of the convention.Syria's envoy to the UN, Bashar Jaafari, said that "legally speaking", Syria was now a full member of the convention.
President Assad said data on chemical weapons would start to be passed to the UN in 30 days.President Assad said data on chemical weapons would start to be passed to the UN in 30 days.
But Mr Kerry has rejected this, saying such "standard procedures" are not relevant when chemical weapons have already been used.But Mr Kerry has rejected this, saying such "standard procedures" are not relevant when chemical weapons have already been used.
Washington and its allies accuse the Syrian government of killing hundreds of people in a chemical attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August. The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels.Washington and its allies accuse the Syrian government of killing hundreds of people in a chemical attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August. The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels.
In an interview with Russian TV on Thursday, President Assad cautioned 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." A UN report on the incident is due out next week. Diplomats say it could point to who carried out the attack, although that was not part of its official remit.
The diplomats said the report might not lay explicit blame, but that its factual reporting - based on soil, blood and urine samples, and interviews with doctors and witnesses - could suggest who was responsible.
More than 100,000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011. Millions of Syrians have been displaced.More than 100,000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011. Millions of Syrians have been displaced.