Russia criticised the world’s chemical weapons watchdog for not sending experts to the site of an alleged chemical attack in Syria, saying it was “unacceptable to analyse events from a distance”. But the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is in a difficult position, with its scientists and experts undertaking a dangerous mission … Read more
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s comments that last week’s chemical weapons attack was a fabrication to justify a US military strike are “100 percent lies”, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Friday. “It’s 100 percent lies and propaganda,” Ayrault said during a visit to Beijing, responding to an exclusive AFP interview with Assad on Wednesday. The … Read more
Russia has vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council that would have condemned last week’s alleged chemical attack in Syria and demanded that Damascus cooperate with investigators. The resolution was presented by the US, UK and France, who reacted angrily to Russia’s decision. It was the eighth time Russia has protected its ally … Read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday warned of future chemical weapons “provocations” in Syria that would be used to frame Kremlin ally Bashar al-Assad. “We have information from various sources that such provocations — I cannot call them otherwise — are being prepared in other regions of Syria, including in the southern outskirts of Damascus, … Read more
A “window of opportunity” exists to convince Moscow to end its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, British Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump said in a phone call Monday. “The prime minister and the president agreed that a window of opportunity now exists in which to persuade Russia that its alliance … Read more
Russia has hit out at Boris Johnson’s decision to scrap a planned trip to Moscow after discussions with the US. The move showed the UK has no “real influence” over world events, Russia’s foreign ministry said. Mr Johnson said events in Syria had “changed the situation fundamentally” and he would go to G7 talks instead. … Read more
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani called Bashar al-Assad to reaffirm his support for the Syrian leader in the wake of a US missile strike, Rouhani’s office said on Sunday. “The nation of Iran will remain alongside the Syrian nation in fighting terrorism and safeguarding Syria’s territorial integrity,” Rouhani said in the call on Saturday evening, according … Read more
Russia slammed London on Sunday after British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson cancelled a scheduled visit to Moscow over its support for the Syrian regime, claiming Britain has “no real influence” internationally. The cancellation “once again confirms doubts about the added value of dialogue with the British, who don’t have their own position on the majority … Read more
Russia is to blame for “every civilian death” in the chemical weapons attack last week in Syria, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has claimed. Sir Michael, writing in the Sunday Times, said the Kremlin was responsible “by proxy” as the “principal backer” of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. It comes after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson cancelled … Read more
The army chiefs of Russia and Iran discussed the US strikes in Syria by phone Saturday, and vowed to continue the fight against “terrorists” and their supporters, Iranian media reported. The two chiefs of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri and General Valery Gerasimov, “condemned the American operation against a Syrian air base which is an … Read more
Influential Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr on Saturday called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, also calling on Washington and Moscow to stop intervening in the conflict. The young Najaf-based Shiite cleric condemned the killing of 87 people, including 31 children, in a suspected chemical attack last week in a rebel-held Syrian town that … Read more
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged restraint and a renewed push for peace in Syria as the Security Council called an emergency meeting to discuss the US missile strikes on a Syrian air base. “Mindful of the risk of escalation, I appeal for restraint to avoid any acts that could deepen the suffering of … Read more
China on Friday warned against “further deterioration” of the situation in Syria, just hours after a US air strike on a Syrian airbase in response to a suspected chemical attack. The warning came as Xi Jinping met with US President Donald Trump at his Florida resort in Mar-a-Lago, where the Chinese leader had just hours … Read more
The world’s chemical weapons watchdog said Thursday it has opened an “ongoing investigation” into the suspected chemical attack in Syria that killed at least 86 people. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said it has “initiated contact with the Syrian authorities” and is requesting information about Tuesday’s attack on Khan Sheikhun. “This is … Read more
US President Donald Trump has condemned the killing of dozens of civilians in northern Syria in an apparent chemical weapons attack by Syria’s air force. It was an “affront to humanity”, he said, adding: “When you kill innocent children, innocent babies, little babies… that crosses… many lines.” He did not mention Russia, Syria’s ally, which … Read more
U. S. Ambassador Nikki Haley warned Wednesday that the Trump administration will take action against chemical attacks in Syria that bear “all the hallmarks” of President Bashar Assad’s government if the U.N. Security Council fails to act. Haley urged the council at an emergency meeting to immediately approve a resolution drafted by the U.S., Britain … Read more
Britain, France and the United States on Wednesday held off calling a vote at the UN Security Council on a resolution demanding an investigation of the suspected chemical attack in Syria to allow time for negotiations with Russia. However, a vote on the draft text presented by the Western trio could be held as early … Read more
The United States warned Wednesday that it could take unilateral action if the United Nations fails to respond to a suspected chemical attack in Syria that has left scores dead, including children. “When the United Nations consistently fails in its duty to act collectively, there are times in the life of states that we are … Read more
US Ambassador Nikki Haley on Wednesday lashed out at Russia for failing to rein in its ally Syria after a suspected chemical attack left scores dead including children. ‘How many more children have to die before Russia cares?’ Haley told a meeting of the UN Security Council called to discuss the attack on a rebel-held … Read more
US Ambassador Nikki Haley on Wednesday lashed out at Russia for failing to rein in its ally Syria after a suspected chemical attack left scores dead including children. “How many more children have to die before Russia cares?” Haley told a meeting of the UN Security Council called to discuss the attack on a rebel-held … Read more