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Boris Johnson calls off Moscow visit over Syria | Boris Johnson calls off Moscow visit over Syria |
(35 minutes later) | |
The UK foreign secretary has called off a visit to Moscow in the wake of the Syrian chemical weapons attack. | The UK foreign secretary has called off a visit to Moscow in the wake of the Syrian chemical weapons attack. |
Boris Johnson, who was set to travel on Monday, said the situation had changed "fundamentally" and his priority was to continue contact with the US to provide international support for a ceasefire. | Boris Johnson, who was set to travel on Monday, said the situation had changed "fundamentally" and his priority was to continue contact with the US to provide international support for a ceasefire. |
He said the UK called on Russia to do everything possible to bring about a "political settlement in Syria". | He said the UK called on Russia to do everything possible to bring about a "political settlement in Syria". |
"We deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime," he added. | "We deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime," he added. |
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit Moscow as planned after the G7 meeting on 10-11 April. | US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit Moscow as planned after the G7 meeting on 10-11 April. |
Mr Johnson said he was working to bring together other "like-minded partners" to "explore next steps soon". | Mr Johnson said he was working to bring together other "like-minded partners" to "explore next steps soon". |
Mr Tillerson would be able to deliver a "clear and co-ordinated message to the Russians" after the meeting between the world's leading seven industrialised nations, he said. | Mr Tillerson would be able to deliver a "clear and co-ordinated message to the Russians" after the meeting between the world's leading seven industrialised nations, he said. |
He called on Russia to work with the rest of the international community to "ensure the shocking events of the last week are never repeated". | He called on Russia to work with the rest of the international community to "ensure the shocking events of the last week are never repeated". |
Eighty-nine people, including 33 children and 18 women, died in a suspected nerve agent attack in the Syrian, rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun on Tuesday. | Eighty-nine people, including 33 children and 18 women, died in a suspected nerve agent attack in the Syrian, rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun on Tuesday. |
The figures come from Idlib's opposition-run health authority. | The figures come from Idlib's opposition-run health authority. |
The country's government denies using nerve gas. | The country's government denies using nerve gas. |
Weapons base | Weapons base |
On Friday, the US carried out missile strikes on a Syrian air base it says is suspected of storing chemical weapons. At least six people are reported to have died. | On Friday, the US carried out missile strikes on a Syrian air base it says is suspected of storing chemical weapons. At least six people are reported to have died. |
In response, Syria's ally Russia accused the US of encouraging "terrorists" with unilateral actions. | In response, Syria's ally Russia accused the US of encouraging "terrorists" with unilateral actions. |
Moscow has further promised to strengthen Syria's anti-aircraft defences and it is shutting down a hotline with the US designed to avoid collisions between their air forces over the country. | Moscow has further promised to strengthen Syria's anti-aircraft defences and it is shutting down a hotline with the US designed to avoid collisions between their air forces over the country. |
Mr Johnson's visit, for talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, would have been the first visit by a UK foreign secretary in more than five years. | Mr Johnson's visit, for talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, would have been the first visit by a UK foreign secretary in more than five years. |
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the cancellation meant Boris had "revealed himself to be a poodle of Washington, having his diary managed from across the pond." | Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the cancellation meant Boris had "revealed himself to be a poodle of Washington, having his diary managed from across the pond." |
He added: "It is pretty shameful when even Trump judges you to be a buffoon." | He added: "It is pretty shameful when even Trump judges you to be a buffoon." |
The government was "quick to blindly follow every order from the Trump White House", he said. | The government was "quick to blindly follow every order from the Trump White House", he said. |