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-24105381
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Syria crisis: France, US and UK want 'strong' UN resolution | Syria crisis: France, US and UK want 'strong' UN resolution |
(35 minutes later) | |
France, Britain and the US will seek a "strong" UN resolution with "serious consequences" if Syria fails to hand over its chemical weapons, says French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. | France, Britain and the US will seek a "strong" UN resolution with "serious consequences" if Syria fails to hand over its chemical weapons, says French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. |
But Russia has warned that threatening Syria may "wreck" the peace talks. | |
Under a deal brokered by Russia and the US, Syria has agreed to disclose its full chemical arms arsenal within a week and eliminate it by mid-2014. | Under a deal brokered by Russia and the US, Syria has agreed to disclose its full chemical arms arsenal within a week and eliminate it by mid-2014. |
The US had threatened military action over a chemical attack in Damascus. | The US had threatened military action over a chemical attack in Damascus. |
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government denies allegations it was behind the attack on 21 August, which killed hundreds, and has accused the rebels of carrying it out. | Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government denies allegations it was behind the attack on 21 August, which killed hundreds, and has accused the rebels of carrying it out. |
UN weapons inspectors who visited the scene of the attack are due to release their findings later on Monday, though their remit does not involve assigning blame. | |
Meanwhile, the latest report from UN human rights investigators in Geneva said there was evidence chemical weapons had been used on several other occasions. | |
War crimes, including mass executions, rape and torture, were also continuing, according to the study. | |
The investigators said a referral to the International Criminal Court was imperative. | |
'Precise timetable' | 'Precise timetable' |
Mr Fabius and French President Francois Hollande met British Foreign Secretary William Hague and US Secretary of State John Kerry in Paris on Monday to discuss the crisis. | Mr Fabius and French President Francois Hollande met British Foreign Secretary William Hague and US Secretary of State John Kerry in Paris on Monday to discuss the crisis. |
They agreed there had to be a "precise timetable" for the dismantling of weapons in Syria. | They agreed there had to be a "precise timetable" for the dismantling of weapons in Syria. |
The UN Security Council is expected to draft a resolution for the Syrian deal in the coming days. | |
"We want to obtain a strong resolution from the UN Security Council, a resolution that will support the plan for chemical disarmament with all the authority of the Council, a resolution that includes serious consequences if the plan is not implemented and, finally, a resolution that will also reaffirm that those responsible for the massacre on 21 August be held accountable," Mr Fabius said in a joint press conference after the meeting. | |
Mr Kerry said the resolution had to be "forceful, accountable, transparent and timely". | |
"If the Assad regime believes that this is not enforceable and we are not serious, they will play games," he told reporters in Paris. | |
"It is significant that three permanent of the Security Council are standing here together joined in unity, purpose and understanding of what needs to be done." | |
Mr Kerry added that all the countries involved, including Russia, had agreed that military intervention could be an option "should diplomacy fail". | |
"The framework fully commits the United States and Russia to impose measures under Chapter 7 of the UN charter in the event of non-compliance." | |
Chapter 7 permits military action if other measures do not succeed. | |
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any calls for swift UN action against Mr Assad showed a "lack of understanding" of the chemical weapons deal reached with Syria. | |
Syria agreed last week to join the global Chemical Weapons Convention. It will come under the treaty from 14 October, the UN announced. | Syria agreed last week to join the global Chemical Weapons Convention. It will come under the treaty from 14 October, the UN announced. |
The framework deal was announced on Saturday after three days of talks in Geneva between Mr Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. | The framework deal was announced on Saturday after three days of talks in Geneva between Mr Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. |
Syrian Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar welcomed the agreement, calling it a "victory for Syria achieved thanks to our Russian friends". | Syrian Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar welcomed the agreement, calling it a "victory for Syria achieved thanks to our Russian friends". |
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. |
Millions of Syrians have fled the country, mostly to neighbouring nations and millions more have been internally displaced within Syria. | Millions of Syrians have fled the country, mostly to neighbouring nations and millions more have been internally displaced within Syria. |