U.S., Russia agree on Syria weapons, Obama says force still option
GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Russia and the United States put aside bitter differences over Syria to strike a deal on Saturday that by removing President Bashar al-Assad’s chemical arsenal may avert U.S. military action against him.
Syrian opposition elects moderate Islamist as prime minister
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The opposition Syrian National Coalition elected a moderate Islamist as provisional prime minister on Saturday, hoping to avoid being sidelined as world powers renew diplomatic efforts to end the civil war.
Obama says U.S. remains prepared to act on Syria if diplomacy fails
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama vowed on Saturday that Syria will be held to account if it fails to live up to its promises to surrender chemical weapons as he faced questions about how a deal brokered by U.S. and Russian diplomats would …
Green party threatens to drop support for French government
PARIS (Reuters) – The head of France’s Green party on Saturday threatened to withdraw support for the Socialist government unless President Francois Hollande made a clearer commitment to protect the environment.
Spain’s Rajoy offers Catalonia talks, but no independence vote
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Saturday offered to hold talks with Catalonia, but gave no indication he would allow the wealthy northwestern region to vote on independence.
U.N. says Syria to come under chemical weapons treaty next month
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations on Saturday said it had received all documents necessary for Syria to join the chemical weapons convention and that Syria would come under the treaty starting on October 14.
Italy’s Letta appeals for stability ahead of key week
CHIANCIANO, Italy (Reuters) – Prime Minister Enrico Letta appealed for political stability on Saturday ahead of a week which could signal the end of his government, warning a political crisis would push up borrowing costs and throw Italy into chaos.
Tens of thousands join march for jobs in Poland
WARSAW (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of protesters marched through the Polish capital on Saturday in one of the largest demonstrations in years to demand more jobs and higher pay, blaming Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government for failing to tackle un…
Obama says U.S. remains prepared to act on Syria if diplomacy fails
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama welcomed a U.S.-Russian accord on Saturday aimed at getting control of Syrian chemical weapons and warned that if diplomacy fails the United States remains prepared to act.
U.S. military forces still in position for possible Syria strikes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon said on Saturday that U.S. military forces were still positioned for possible military strikes on Syria, at least for now, even after a U.S.-Russia agreement on destroying Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal.