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The west holds its breath as inspectors enter Syria
Chemical weapons inspectors make their first journey into Syria, under the terms agreed by President Assad and the west. But this is dangerous work, in the midst of a raging and complex civil war.
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Inspectors overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemicals weapons in the midst of civil war win the Nobel peace prize.
Having been prevented from getting food, Syrian activists in a besieged suburb of Damascus say regime forces have now attacked their water supply, in a desperate situation.
International experts are destroying Syria’s chemical gas arsenal, an official taking part in the mission has confirmed.
Chemical weapons inspectors make their first journey into Syria, under the terms agreed by President Assad and the west. But this is dangerous work, in the midst of a raging and complex civil war.
Medics working in the chaos of Syria’s civil war are in constant danger from shells, gunfire and bombs – but they also fear arrest and death for just doing their job, writes doctor Saleyha Ahsan.
From imminent intervention to the realpolitik of Moscow, outplaying the west at every turn – what a difference a few weeks makes.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he is committed to destroying his country’s chemical weapons but it will take about a year to do so.
Syria insists Bashar al-Assad is a “legitimate” president, as Russia says it opposes any “use of force” clause in a UN resolution to put his chemical weapons under international control.
A UN inspectors’ report into the Damascus chemical weapons attack in August says there is “clear and convincing evidence” that sarin was used.
US Secretary of State John Kerry says any deal over Syria’s chemical weapons is not a “lifeline” to President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime has “lost all legitimacy”.
Who could have predicted that the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand would be the spark to ignite world war one? Does Syria carry the same carry potential?
The plan to hand Syria’s weapons over to international control has no chance of success, but it has achieved one thing – buying global leaders some time.
President Assad tells Russian TV that the threat of a US missile strike hasn’t influenced him at all, while the UN says it has received documentation on Syria joining the chemical weapons convention.
Why have all the powers involved in trying to resolve the Syria crisis – the US, Russia, France and Britain – so singularly failed to exhaust diplomatic avenues to avoid conflict?
As negotiations continue over a UN resolution, Russia is reported to have shown the US its plan for placing Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal under international control.