Security Council OKs Syria resolution, warns of consequences
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council, capping a dramatic month of diplomacy, voted unanimously late Friday to require Syria to eliminate its arsenal of chemical weapons -- or face consequences."Today's resolution will ensure that the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons program happens as soon as possible and with the utmost transparency and accountability," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.The U.N. resolution was based on a deal struck this month between the United States and Russia that averted an American military strike over allegations the Syrian government used sarin nerve gas in an August 21 attack on a Damascus suburb that U.S. officials said left at least 1,400 people dead.The resolution did not authorize the automatic use of force if Syria is said to be in violation, as was previously sought by the United States.The 15-member Security Council met shortly after the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, or OPCW, voted to fast-track Syria's addition to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans such weapons.For nearly two years, the U.N. Security Council had been unable to reach a consensus over what to do to bring about an end to Syria's civil war.
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council, capping a dramatic month of diplomacy, voted unanimously late Friday to require Syria to eliminate its arsenal of chemical weapons -- or face consequences."Today's resolution will ensure that the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons program happens as soon as possible and with the utmost transparency and accountability," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.The U.N. resolution was based on a deal struck this month between the United States and Russia that averted an American military strike over allegations the Syrian government used sarin nerve gas in an August 21 attack on a Damascus suburb that U.S. officials said left at least 1,400 people dead.The resolution did not authorize the automatic use of force if Syria is said to be in violation, as was previously sought by the United States.The 15-member Security Council met shortly after the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, or OPCW, voted to fast-track Syria's addition to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans such weapons.For nearly two years, the U.N. Security Council had been unable to reach a consensus over what to do to bring about an end to Syria's civil war.
U.N. Security Council said to be nearing deal on Syria resolution
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The 15 members of the U.N. Security Council are being called to a consultation regarding text for a resolution on Syria's chemical weapons disarmament."We shall introduce text to full SC tonight," Mark Lyall Grant, British ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted Thursday.A Western diplomat told CNN the consultation, scheduled to happen at 8 p.m. ET, would likely address a draft text that has been mostly approved by the United States and Russia.Earlier, two senior State Department officials told CNN that the two countries were getting close to a deal."This is a breakthrough arrived at through hard-fought diplomacy," said a senior State Department official."The Russians have agreed to support a strong, binding and enforceable resolution that unites the pressure and focus of the international community on the Syrian regime to ensure the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons," the official said.Three basic premises have been settled, a U.N. diplomat said Wednesday.Russia has basically agreed to the points, but "small issues" remain to be decided, the source said.The deal could still fall apart.According to the source, the three premises are: 1.
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The 15 members of the U.N. Security Council are being called to a consultation regarding text for a resolution on Syria's chemical weapons disarmament."We shall introduce text to full SC tonight," Mark Lyall Grant, British ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted Thursday.A Western diplomat told CNN the consultation, scheduled to happen at 8 p.m. ET, would likely address a draft text that has been mostly approved by the United States and Russia.Earlier, two senior State Department officials told CNN that the two countries were getting close to a deal."This is a breakthrough arrived at through hard-fought diplomacy," said a senior State Department official."The Russians have agreed to support a strong, binding and enforceable resolution that unites the pressure and focus of the international community on the Syrian regime to ensure the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons," the official said.Three basic premises have been settled, a U.N. diplomat said Wednesday.Russia has basically agreed to the points, but "small issues" remain to be decided, the source said.The deal could still fall apart.According to the source, the three premises are: 1.
Troops could face pay delays if government shuts down
(CNN) -- U.S. troops throughout the world -- including those fighting in Afghanistan -- could face delays in getting their paychecks if the government shuts down, according to the Defense Department.On Monday, all 1.4 million active-duty personnel and 800,000 civilians were informed the department is now preparing for a shutdown if a budget deal with Congress is not reached.The department has been "directed to review and update plans" for a shutdown that could result in delayed pay for all members of the department, according to DOD Press Secretary George Little.
(CNN) -- U.S. troops throughout the world -- including those fighting in Afghanistan -- could face delays in getting their paychecks if the government shuts down, according to the Defense Department.On Monday, all 1.4 million active-duty personnel and 800,000 civilians were informed the department is now preparing for a shutdown if a budget deal with Congress is not reached.The department has been "directed to review and update plans" for a shutdown that could result in delayed pay for all members of the department, according to DOD Press Secretary George Little.
United Nations gets Syria's chemical weapons list
(CNN) -- The world's chemical weapons watchdog announced Saturday that Syria has handed over a list of what it says is its chemical arms stockpile."The Technical Secretariat is currently reviewing the information received," said the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.The handover occurred a day before the organization is to meet at The Hague in the Netherlands to discuss Syria.The timing meets the terms set in a deal forged last week between the United States and Russia in Geneva to begin destroying Syria's chemical arsenal.Under the fast-tracked Geneva deal, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was to declare the weapons no later than Saturday.The normal 60-day process for declaring arms was expedited to seven days "because of the extraordinary concern about Syria's weapons," said Michael Luhan, a spokesman for the organization."Until now, each country has been typical.
(CNN) -- The world's chemical weapons watchdog announced Saturday that Syria has handed over a list of what it says is its chemical arms stockpile."The Technical Secretariat is currently reviewing the information received," said the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.The handover occurred a day before the organization is to meet at The Hague in the Netherlands to discuss Syria.The timing meets the terms set in a deal forged last week between the United States and Russia in Geneva to begin destroying Syria's chemical arsenal.Under the fast-tracked Geneva deal, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was to declare the weapons no later than Saturday.The normal 60-day process for declaring arms was expedited to seven days "because of the extraordinary concern about Syria's weapons," said Michael Luhan, a spokesman for the organization."Until now, each country has been typical.
Syria's al-Assad says he welcomes return of U.N. inspectors
(CNN) -- Syria's president says he'll welcome the return of U.N. investigators to follow up on more allegations of chemical weapons use in his country."We've been asking them to come back to Syria to continue their investigations," President Bashar al-Assad told Fox News in an interview broadcast Wednesday.Al-Assad said he hadn't had time yet to analyze the U.N. investigators' findings so far, but stressed they have more work to do."They haven't finished it yet," he said, adding that it's clear that rebels were behind chemical weapons attacks, not his government.Ake Sellstrom, the head of the inspection team that visited after an August 21 attack outside Damascus, told CNN that the next visit could take place as early as next week.In the meantime, Al-Assad vowed that his government would comply with the deal to hand over and destroy its chemical weapons, but noted that the timeframe is uncertain and the costs will be great -- up to $1 billion by some estimates.And he said that his government's decision to sign on had nothing to do with a threat of military action by the United States."Syria never obeyed any threat.
(CNN) -- Syria's president says he'll welcome the return of U.N. investigators to follow up on more allegations of chemical weapons use in his country."We've been asking them to come back to Syria to continue their investigations," President Bashar al-Assad told Fox News in an interview broadcast Wednesday.Al-Assad said he hadn't had time yet to analyze the U.N. investigators' findings so far, but stressed they have more work to do."They haven't finished it yet," he said, adding that it's clear that rebels were behind chemical weapons attacks, not his government.Ake Sellstrom, the head of the inspection team that visited after an August 21 attack outside Damascus, told CNN that the next visit could take place as early as next week.In the meantime, Al-Assad vowed that his government would comply with the deal to hand over and destroy its chemical weapons, but noted that the timeframe is uncertain and the costs will be great -- up to $1 billion by some estimates.And he said that his government's decision to sign on had nothing to do with a threat of military action by the United States."Syria never obeyed any threat.
President Obama says Syria chemical weapons top priority
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama believes Syria would be better off without its president, Bashar al-Assad, but said on Tuesday that removing his chemical weapons is the top priority and he remains focused on a diplomatic solution.In an interview with Telemundo, Obama also said U.N. investigators have now "unequivocally said that chemical weapons were used" in Syria in August and "when you look at the details of the evidence they present, it is inconceivable that anybody other than the regime used it."Obama believes the U.N. conclusions released in a report this week "changes international opinion on this issue" and pointed to developments with allies on a resolution to turn over Syrian stockpiles to international control."We're in negotiations with the Russians as we speak up in the United Nations.
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama believes Syria would be better off without its president, Bashar al-Assad, but said on Tuesday that removing his chemical weapons is the top priority and he remains focused on a diplomatic solution.In an interview with Telemundo, Obama also said U.N. investigators have now "unequivocally said that chemical weapons were used" in Syria in August and "when you look at the details of the evidence they present, it is inconceivable that anybody other than the regime used it."Obama believes the U.N. conclusions released in a report this week "changes international opinion on this issue" and pointed to developments with allies on a resolution to turn over Syrian stockpiles to international control."We're in negotiations with the Russians as we speak up in the United Nations.
Bickering over U.S.-Russia deal focuses on punishment for Syria
(CNN) -- Days after Russia and the United States reached a deal on getting Syria to give up its chemical weapons, world powers are quarreling over the details.The agreement, reached by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry over the weekend, calls for a U.N. resolution demanding that Syria turn over its chemical weapons to international control in a specific time frame.Russia won't support any resolution that would authorize the use of force against Syria if it doesn't comply, Lavrov said Tuesday.But the United States and France want to keep the threat of force on the table if Syria doesn't comply.
(CNN) -- Days after Russia and the United States reached a deal on getting Syria to give up its chemical weapons, world powers are quarreling over the details.The agreement, reached by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry over the weekend, calls for a U.N. resolution demanding that Syria turn over its chemical weapons to international control in a specific time frame.Russia won't support any resolution that would authorize the use of force against Syria if it doesn't comply, Lavrov said Tuesday.But the United States and France want to keep the threat of force on the table if Syria doesn't comply.
U.N. finds sarin used in Syria chemical weapons attack
(CNN) -- U.N. weapons inspectors returned "overwhelming and indisputable" evidence of the use of nerve gas in Syria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday, calling the findings "beyond doubt and beyond the pale."The inspectors' 38-page report was released after Ban briefed Security Council members on its contents.
(CNN) -- U.N. weapons inspectors returned "overwhelming and indisputable" evidence of the use of nerve gas in Syria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday, calling the findings "beyond doubt and beyond the pale."The inspectors' 38-page report was released after Ban briefed Security Council members on its contents.
A weakened Ingrid makes landfall in Mexico
(CNN) -- Hurricane Ingrid weakened to a tropical storm Monday morning as it made landfall near La Pesca, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.The storm was one of two tropical systems that hit Mexico from either side over the weekend, causing rivers to overflow their banks, spurring mudslides and flooding roadways.
(CNN) -- Hurricane Ingrid weakened to a tropical storm Monday morning as it made landfall near La Pesca, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.The storm was one of two tropical systems that hit Mexico from either side over the weekend, causing rivers to overflow their banks, spurring mudslides and flooding roadways.
Syrian official declares 'victory,' thanks Russia
(CNN) -- A Syrian minister declared "victory" for his country on Sunday, thanking Russia for orchestrating a chemical weapons deal to avert U.S. military action, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported."We welcome these agreements.
(CNN) -- A Syrian minister declared "victory" for his country on Sunday, thanking Russia for orchestrating a chemical weapons deal to avert U.S. military action, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported."We welcome these agreements.
U.N. weapons inspectors turn in Syria report
(CNN) -- The world is expected to get a look at the findings of U.N. weapons inspectors Monday as Security Council powers work to turn a U.S.-Russian framework on Syria's chemical weapons into a concrete plan.U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon received the inspectors' report on the August poison gas attack outside Damascus on Sunday, the United Nations announced.
(CNN) -- The world is expected to get a look at the findings of U.N. weapons inspectors Monday as Security Council powers work to turn a U.S.-Russian framework on Syria's chemical weapons into a concrete plan.U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon received the inspectors' report on the August poison gas attack outside Damascus on Sunday, the United Nations announced.
U.S. and Russia extend Syria talks another day
(CNN) -- Talks about talks on Syria provided no answers on Friday to the main question: Will the United States launch a military attack?Yet the discussions in Geneva involving Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart did produce at least one result -- what was supposed to be a two-day meeting has been extended to Saturday."If there was no opening, we wouldn't still be here," a senior State Department official said.An Obama administration official said separately that "we are coming closer to agreement on the scope of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile."Yet that's not to say all of the many outstanding issues have been resolved.Senior U.S. administration officials told reporters on condition of not being identified that the main sticking point was what consequences Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government should face.According to the officials, they have no expectations that Russia would agree to any U.N. resolution that included authorization for possible military force against Syria.
(CNN) -- Talks about talks on Syria provided no answers on Friday to the main question: Will the United States launch a military attack?Yet the discussions in Geneva involving Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart did produce at least one result -- what was supposed to be a two-day meeting has been extended to Saturday."If there was no opening, we wouldn't still be here," a senior State Department official said.An Obama administration official said separately that "we are coming closer to agreement on the scope of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile."Yet that's not to say all of the many outstanding issues have been resolved.Senior U.S. administration officials told reporters on condition of not being identified that the main sticking point was what consequences Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government should face.According to the officials, they have no expectations that Russia would agree to any U.N. resolution that included authorization for possible military force against Syria.
Day 2: U.S. and Russia negotiate over Syrian chemical weapons
(CNN) -- Russia and the United States will meet again later in September to discuss a possible diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said from Switzerland Friday, where the two nations are holding a second day of talks on Syria's chemical weapons.Kerry said they would meet "around the United Nations General Assembly" on September 28.Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov spoke to reporters after meeting with the joint U.N. and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, in Geneva.They pledged to work toward setting a date for a second round of peace talks involving all parties in Syria, known as Geneva II, at the meeting in New York.U.S. President Barack Obama is "deeply committed to a negotiated solution with regard to Syria and we know Russia is likewise," Kerry said.The secretary of state said that conversations with the Russian delegation on Syria's chemical weapons had been "constructive" and would continue Friday.The possibility of progress in the planned talks in New York will largely depend on whether negotiations in the next hours and days over Syria's chemical weapons succeed, Kerry said.Lavrov said the meeting with Brahimi had been "very useful."Russia had promoted a peaceful solution to the situation in Syria from the beginning and that it was unfortunate a communique agreed at a first round of peace talks in Geneva last year had been "basically abandoned," he said.Al-Assad: Stop the threatsSyrian President Bashar al-Assad demanded Thursday that the United States call off any potential strike on Syrian government forces before he gives up his large chemical weapons arsenal."This bilateral process is based, first of all, on the United States stopping its policy of threatening Syria," al-Assad said.But Kerry made it clear Thursday in comments on his first day of negotiations with Lavrov that the threat of a U.S. military strike remains on the table, if Syria does not hand over its stockpiles."This is not a game," he said.
(CNN) -- Russia and the United States will meet again later in September to discuss a possible diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said from Switzerland Friday, where the two nations are holding a second day of talks on Syria's chemical weapons.Kerry said they would meet "around the United Nations General Assembly" on September 28.Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov spoke to reporters after meeting with the joint U.N. and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, in Geneva.They pledged to work toward setting a date for a second round of peace talks involving all parties in Syria, known as Geneva II, at the meeting in New York.U.S. President Barack Obama is "deeply committed to a negotiated solution with regard to Syria and we know Russia is likewise," Kerry said.The secretary of state said that conversations with the Russian delegation on Syria's chemical weapons had been "constructive" and would continue Friday.The possibility of progress in the planned talks in New York will largely depend on whether negotiations in the next hours and days over Syria's chemical weapons succeed, Kerry said.Lavrov said the meeting with Brahimi had been "very useful."Russia had promoted a peaceful solution to the situation in Syria from the beginning and that it was unfortunate a communique agreed at a first round of peace talks in Geneva last year had been "basically abandoned," he said.Al-Assad: Stop the threatsSyrian President Bashar al-Assad demanded Thursday that the United States call off any potential strike on Syrian government forces before he gives up his large chemical weapons arsenal."This bilateral process is based, first of all, on the United States stopping its policy of threatening Syria," al-Assad said.But Kerry made it clear Thursday in comments on his first day of negotiations with Lavrov that the threat of a U.S. military strike remains on the table, if Syria does not hand over its stockpiles."This is not a game," he said.
U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, attacked, three dead
KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A huge explosion rocked the area near the U.S. consulate in Afghanistan's Herat province early Friday during a heavy gunfight between militants and security forces, officials said.The attack occurred just before 6 a.m. local time when attackers sped towards the front gate of the consulate, said Marie Harf, a deputy State Department spokeswoman.The attackers fired assault rifles starting a gun battle with Afghan security forces.
KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A huge explosion rocked the area near the U.S. consulate in Afghanistan's Herat province early Friday during a heavy gunfight between militants and security forces, officials said.The attack occurred just before 6 a.m. local time when attackers sped towards the front gate of the consulate, said Marie Harf, a deputy State Department spokeswoman.The attackers fired assault rifles starting a gun battle with Afghan security forces.
John Kerry begins talks with Russian Foreign Minister on Syria
(CNN) -- Diplomacy designed to end the Syrian civil war entered a new chapter Thursday as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry began talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland.The high-stakes discussions center on a Russian initiative to avert a U.S.-led strike by having the Syrian government put its chemical weapons stockpile under international control.They are expected to come up with a blueprint on how to implement the idea and when to do it.
(CNN) -- Diplomacy designed to end the Syrian civil war entered a new chapter Thursday as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry began talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland.The high-stakes discussions center on a Russian initiative to avert a U.S.-led strike by having the Syrian government put its chemical weapons stockpile under international control.They are expected to come up with a blueprint on how to implement the idea and when to do it.
Official says CIA-funded weapons have begun to reach Syrian rebels
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- CIA-funded weapons have begun flowing to Syrian rebels, a U.S. official told CNN.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- CIA-funded weapons have begun flowing to Syrian rebels, a U.S. official told CNN.
Latest on Syria, one day after President Obama's address to nation
(CNN) -- A day after President Barack Obama made his case for both military intervention and diplomacy in Syria, world powers worked Wednesday to defuse the crisis.Syria has agreed to a Russian plan to give up its chemical weapons, a move that could forestall international military strikes and possibly give diplomacy some positive traction.But the bloody conflict in Syria continues to rage, and roadblocks and questions remain as to what's next for the war-ravaged Middle Eastern nation.Latest developments Wednesday:-- As diplomatic efforts continued to address chemical weapons in Syria, the death toll from the nation's 2-year-old civil war continued to climb.
(CNN) -- A day after President Barack Obama made his case for both military intervention and diplomacy in Syria, world powers worked Wednesday to defuse the crisis.Syria has agreed to a Russian plan to give up its chemical weapons, a move that could forestall international military strikes and possibly give diplomacy some positive traction.But the bloody conflict in Syria continues to rage, and roadblocks and questions remain as to what's next for the war-ravaged Middle Eastern nation.Latest developments Wednesday:-- As diplomatic efforts continued to address chemical weapons in Syria, the death toll from the nation's 2-year-old civil war continued to climb.
Kerry to Geneva Thursday to meet with Russian counterpart on Syria
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Geneva on Thursday for a high-stakes meeting with his Russian counterpart that could tip the balance on whether the United States strikes Syria militarily over alleged chemical weapons use.Separately, sources said U.N. chemical weapons inspectors are expected to deliver their report as early as Monday or Tuesday next week to the Security Council about the incident fueling the standoff with the United States -- an August 21 sarin gas attack the Obama administration says killed more than 1,400 people and blames on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.Obama, in fact, has called for Syria to be punished for violating a longstanding global ban on chemical weapons, calling the attack a moral abomination that Americans and the international community cannot tolerate.Al-Assad's government denies gassing its own people, and Russia has stood by them in challenging the U.S.-led claims and what it calls a dangerous rush to war.Moscow's proposal to address the crisis -- and al-Assad's chemical weapons -- will be centered over the next two days in Switzerland, where Kerry will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Geneva on Thursday for a high-stakes meeting with his Russian counterpart that could tip the balance on whether the United States strikes Syria militarily over alleged chemical weapons use.Separately, sources said U.N. chemical weapons inspectors are expected to deliver their report as early as Monday or Tuesday next week to the Security Council about the incident fueling the standoff with the United States -- an August 21 sarin gas attack the Obama administration says killed more than 1,400 people and blames on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.Obama, in fact, has called for Syria to be punished for violating a longstanding global ban on chemical weapons, calling the attack a moral abomination that Americans and the international community cannot tolerate.Al-Assad's government denies gassing its own people, and Russia has stood by them in challenging the U.S.-led claims and what it calls a dangerous rush to war.Moscow's proposal to address the crisis -- and al-Assad's chemical weapons -- will be centered over the next two days in Switzerland, where Kerry will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
U.N. report on Syria should be ready early next week
(CNN) -- U.N. weapons inspectors are expected to report their findings regarding a chemical attack in Syria early next week, sources said Wednesday, but a leading human rights group is already pointing its finger at government troops.The inspectors collected evidence from the site of the August 21 attack outside Damascus, and laboratories have been processing the material for more than a week.
(CNN) -- U.N. weapons inspectors are expected to report their findings regarding a chemical attack in Syria early next week, sources said Wednesday, but a leading human rights group is already pointing its finger at government troops.The inspectors collected evidence from the site of the August 21 attack outside Damascus, and laboratories have been processing the material for more than a week.
Benghazi hit by blast on anniversary of U.S. Consulate attack
(CNN) -- A car bomb exploded outside a Foreign Ministry building in the Libyan city of Benghazi Wednesday, state media said, on the anniversary of an assault on the U.S. Consulate there that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.The blast did not cause any casualties but blew away large parts of the building's facade, said Col.
(CNN) -- A car bomb exploded outside a Foreign Ministry building in the Libyan city of Benghazi Wednesday, state media said, on the anniversary of an assault on the U.S. Consulate there that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.The blast did not cause any casualties but blew away large parts of the building's facade, said Col.