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Give up weapons, Russia urges Syria Give up weapons, Russia urges Syria
(35 minutes later)
Russia has asked Syria to put its chemical weapons stockpile under "international control" in a bid to avoid US military strikes, and then have them destroyed.Russia has asked Syria to put its chemical weapons stockpile under "international control" in a bid to avoid US military strikes, and then have them destroyed.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the offer was made during talks with his Syrian counterpart, and he hoped for a quick response from Damascus. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the offer was made during talks with his Syrian counterpart, Walid Muallem.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has again denied using chemical weapons. Mr Muallem said he welcomed the initiative.
The US is threatening strikes, accusing the Assad regime of war crimes. The US is threatening strikes accusing the Syrian regime of war crimes, though Damascus denies the claims.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, in Europe to garner support for the military action, has once again warned that taking no action is riskier than launching strikes.US Secretary of State John Kerry, in Europe to garner support for the military action, has once again warned that taking no action is riskier than launching strikes.
When asked at a news conference whether there was anything Mr Assad could do to avoid military action, Mr Kerry replied that he could hand over his entire stockpile of chemical weapons within the next week.When asked at a news conference whether there was anything Mr Assad could do to avoid military action, Mr Kerry replied that he could hand over his entire stockpile of chemical weapons within the next week.
US officials later clarified that Mr Kerry was making a "rhetorical argument" rather than a serious offer.US officials later clarified that Mr Kerry was making a "rhetorical argument" rather than a serious offer.
However, Mr Lavrov later called on Syria to "place the chemical weapons under international control and then have them destroyed".However, Mr Lavrov later called on Syria to "place the chemical weapons under international control and then have them destroyed".
He said the offer had been made to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem during talks in Moscow. He said the offer had been made to Mr Muallem during talks in Moscow.
Mr Lavrov said he did not know whether Damascus would agree, but Russia was hoping for a positive response. Mr Muallem, who said he welcomed the proposal, is now tasked with communicating the plan to Syria's leaders.
'Pay the price'
The Russians have been the main international ally of Mr Assad's regime throughout Syria's two-and-a-half-year civil war.The Russians have been the main international ally of Mr Assad's regime throughout Syria's two-and-a-half-year civil war.
Russia has blocked three resolutions against Syria in the UN Security Council, and has dismissed evidence linking Mr Assad's forces to a chemical attack in Damascus on 21 August.Russia has blocked three resolutions against Syria in the UN Security Council, and has dismissed evidence linking Mr Assad's forces to a chemical attack in Damascus on 21 August.
The US says Syrian government forces used poison gas to kill 1,429 people in the attack.The US says Syrian government forces used poison gas to kill 1,429 people in the attack.
Mr Assad's government blames the attack on rebels fighting to overthrow him, in a conflict that the UN says has claimed some 100,000 lives.Mr Assad's government blames the attack on rebels fighting to overthrow him, in a conflict that the UN says has claimed some 100,000 lives.
The Syrian leader gave an interview to US network PBS in which he said the Middle East was "on the brink of explosion".
"You're going to pay the price if you're not wise with dealing with terrorists. There are going to be repercussions," he said.
He also denied using chemical weapons saying there was "no evidence" to hold his government responsible for the 21 August attack.
The White House immediately dismissed his statement.
"It doesn't surprise us that someone who would kill thousands of his own people, including hundreds of children with poison gas, would also lie about it," said spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan.
'Heavy lift'
US officials have admitted they have no "irrefutable" evidence of Mr Assad's involvement in the August attack but say it common-sense that his government was responsible.
US President Barack Obama has cleared his schedule this week to focus all his attention on building support for the Syrian intervention.
He has acknowledged he faces a "heavy lift" to win congressional backing.
A poll carried out by ABC and the BBC on Friday suggested more than 230 of the 433 members in the House of Representatives were either opposed or likely to oppose strikes.
Just 44 representatives said they would support or were likely to support action, and a large proportion are still undecided on the issue.
Many US politicians and members of the public remain concerned that military action could draw the nation into a prolonged war and spark broader hostilities in the region.