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-22734537
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
US and Germany urge Russia not to arm Syria military | US and Germany urge Russia not to arm Syria military |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The US and Germany have called on Russia not to supply Syria's military with an advanced missile system they say could prolong the conflict there. | The US and Germany have called on Russia not to supply Syria's military with an advanced missile system they say could prolong the conflict there. |
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the delivery of Russian weaponry would have a "profoundly negative impact" and put Israel's security at risk. | US Secretary of State John Kerry said the delivery of Russian weaponry would have a "profoundly negative impact" and put Israel's security at risk. |
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle urged Moscow not to hinder the chances of mooted peace talks. | German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle urged Moscow not to hinder the chances of mooted peace talks. |
In Syria, fierce fighting continued on Friday around the key town of Qusair. | In Syria, fierce fighting continued on Friday around the key town of Qusair. |
Dozens of opposition fighters reached the town on Friday to bolster it against an offensive involving government forces and militants from Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese group that supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | Dozens of opposition fighters reached the town on Friday to bolster it against an offensive involving government forces and militants from Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese group that supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. |
One opposition activist told the BBC the humanitarian situation in the town near the Lebanese border was worsening, with 800 wounded people needing treatment. | One opposition activist told the BBC the humanitarian situation in the town near the Lebanese border was worsening, with 800 wounded people needing treatment. |
'Unified' government | 'Unified' government |
Mr Kerry and Mr Westerwelle held talks in Washington a day after Mr Assad said a Russian contract to supply the S-300 surface-to-air missile defence system was being implemented, without confirming any deliveries. | Mr Kerry and Mr Westerwelle held talks in Washington a day after Mr Assad said a Russian contract to supply the S-300 surface-to-air missile defence system was being implemented, without confirming any deliveries. |
The S-300PMU-2 - the variant experts believe will be sent - is a highly capable system that, as well as targeting aircraft, also has the capacity to engage ballistic missiles. | |
Two Russian newspapers on Friday quoted defence sources as saying that it was unclear if any of the missile system would be delivered this year. | Two Russian newspapers on Friday quoted defence sources as saying that it was unclear if any of the missile system would be delivered this year. |
Mr Kerry called on Russia not to upset the balance in the region by providing weaponry to the Assad regime, "whether it's and old contract or not". | Mr Kerry called on Russia not to upset the balance in the region by providing weaponry to the Assad regime, "whether it's and old contract or not". |
"It has a profoundly negative impact on the balance of interests and the stability of the region and it does put Israel at risk," he said. | "It has a profoundly negative impact on the balance of interests and the stability of the region and it does put Israel at risk," he said. |
"We hope that they will refrain from that in the interests of making this peace process work," he said. | "We hope that they will refrain from that in the interests of making this peace process work," he said. |
He added that he was convinced the Syrian opposition would take part in US and Russian-backed talks expected to be held in Geneva next month. Russian and American officials are set to meet next week to prepare the ground for the peace conference. | He added that he was convinced the Syrian opposition would take part in US and Russian-backed talks expected to be held in Geneva next month. Russian and American officials are set to meet next week to prepare the ground for the peace conference. |
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says a lot more needs to be done for the opposition to be in any kind of shape to attend any conference in a coherent manner. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says a lot more needs to be done for the opposition to be in any kind of shape to attend any conference in a coherent manner. |
He says that, by contrast, the Syrian government appears unified and confident. | He says that, by contrast, the Syrian government appears unified and confident. |
Mr Assad said on Thursday that Syria would "in principle" attend the peace conference in Geneva if there were not unacceptable preconditions. | Mr Assad said on Thursday that Syria would "in principle" attend the peace conference in Geneva if there were not unacceptable preconditions. |
In an interview with Lebanon's al-Manar TV, which is owned by Hezbollah, he warned that Syria would respond in kind to any future Israeli air strikes. | In an interview with Lebanon's al-Manar TV, which is owned by Hezbollah, he warned that Syria would respond in kind to any future Israeli air strikes. |
Qusair crisis | Qusair crisis |
Meanwhile, Syrian state television said troops and Hezbollah fighters had captured the Arjun district of Qusair on Thursday. | Meanwhile, Syrian state television said troops and Hezbollah fighters had captured the Arjun district of Qusair on Thursday. |
An attempt to get wounded people out of the town on Friday had failed, an opposition activist told the BBC, as the convoy had come under attack, with nine people killed. | An attempt to get wounded people out of the town on Friday had failed, an opposition activist told the BBC, as the convoy had come under attack, with nine people killed. |
The source said 30,000 people were still in Qusair, 80% of which was under rebel control, although these figures cannot be independently verified. | The source said 30,000 people were still in Qusair, 80% of which was under rebel control, although these figures cannot be independently verified. |
"There is no water at all, because the Assad regime controls the water supply, and there has been no electricity for four months," he said. | "There is no water at all, because the Assad regime controls the water supply, and there has been no electricity for four months," he said. |
More than 80,000 people have been killed and 1.5 million have fled Syria since the uprising against Mr Assad began in 2011, according to UN estimates. | More than 80,000 people have been killed and 1.5 million have fled Syria since the uprising against Mr Assad began in 2011, according to UN estimates. |
How the Russian S-300PMU-2 missile defence system works | |
The vehicle used as a launcher is currently manufactured at the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT) in Belarus, although Russia is now shifting the production to its western city of Bryansk. |