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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 had been due to travel on Monday, said the situation had changed "fundamentally" and his priority was to build international support for a ceasefire. | Boris Johnson, who had been due to travel on Monday, said the situation had changed "fundamentally" and his priority was to build 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. |
The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit Moscow as planned after the G7 meeting on 10-11 April. | The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit Moscow as planned after the G7 meeting on 10-11 April. |
Mr Johnson said he was in contact with the US and others in the run-up to the meeting, to build "coordinated international support for a ceasefire". | Mr Johnson said he was in contact with the US and others in the run-up to the meeting, to build "coordinated international support for a ceasefire". |
He said he was working to bring together other "like-minded partners" to "explore next steps". | He said he was working to bring together other "like-minded partners" to "explore next steps". |
After the G7 meeting between the world's leading seven industrialised nations Mr Tillerson would be able to deliver a "clear and co-ordinated message to the Russians", he said. | After the G7 meeting between the world's leading seven industrialised nations Mr Tillerson would be able to deliver a "clear and co-ordinated message to the Russians", he said. |
The foreign secretary called on Russia to work with the rest of the international community to "ensure the shocking events of the last week are never repeated". | The foreign secretary called on Russia to work with the rest of the international community to "ensure the shocking events of the last week are never repeated". |
The Russian Embassy responded to the cancellation of Mr Johnson's visit with a tweet linking to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. | |
The embassy in London said: "@BorisJohnson cancelled his visit to Moscow: theatrics for lack of argument? Safer in G7 pack? Listen to our soft power response." | The embassy in London said: "@BorisJohnson cancelled his visit to Moscow: theatrics for lack of argument? Safer in G7 pack? Listen to our soft power response." |
'Terrorists celebrate' strike | 'Terrorists celebrate' strike |
Eighty-nine people, including 33 children and 18 women, died in a suspected nerve agent attack in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun on Tuesday. | |
The figures come from Idlib's opposition-run health authority. The country's government denies using nerve gas. | |
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. |
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has said "terrorists are celebrating" the US strikes on a Syrian airbase. | Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has said "terrorists are celebrating" the US strikes on a Syrian airbase. |
But he also backed calls for an independent inquiry into Tuesday's suspected chemical weapons attack. | But he also backed calls for an independent inquiry into Tuesday's suspected chemical weapons attack. |
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 Mr Johnson 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 Mr Johnson 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. |
An aide to Mr Johnson responded that it was "a shame the Lib Dems would rather snipe and be silly when the US and UK are trying to work on a plan to help the innocent people of Syria and stop a devastating civil war". | An aide to Mr Johnson responded that it was "a shame the Lib Dems would rather snipe and be silly when the US and UK are trying to work on a plan to help the innocent people of Syria and stop a devastating civil war". |