Russia has warned the US that launching air strikes in response to some suspected chemical attack in Syria could spark a war between the 2 countries.
The immediate priority usually is to avert the danger of war, Moscow's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Thursday.
He accused Washington of putting international peace at risk and said the situation was very dangerous.
Western powers are thought to become preparing for strikes but Russia, a Syrian ally, opposes such action.
We cannot exclude any possibilities, unfortunately, Mr Nebenzia told reporters following a private meeting from the UN Security Council in New York.
He said there would be a heightened danger of escalation due to the Russian military presence in Syria.
Senior Russian figures, including the top from the military, have warned that US missiles will certainly be shot down and the launch sites targeted if Russian personnel come under threat.
Mr Nebenzia also involved the UN Security Council to satisfy again on Friday to debate the potential of Western military action.
The White House says it is constant to assess intelligence and speak with its allies approach respond.
Meanwhile, the Organisation to the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW ) says experts are travelling to Syria and can start investigations on Saturday.
The immediate priority usually is to avert the danger of war, Moscow's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Thursday.
He accused Washington of putting international peace at risk and said the situation was very dangerous.
Western powers are thought to become preparing for strikes but Russia, a Syrian ally, opposes such action.
We cannot exclude any possibilities, unfortunately, Mr Nebenzia told reporters following a private meeting from the UN Security Council in New York.
He said there would be a heightened danger of escalation due to the Russian military presence in Syria.
Senior Russian figures, including the top from the military, have warned that US missiles will certainly be shot down and the launch sites targeted if Russian personnel come under threat.
Mr Nebenzia also involved the UN Security Council to satisfy again on Friday to debate the potential of Western military action.
The White House says it is constant to assess intelligence and speak with its allies approach respond.
Meanwhile, the Organisation to the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW ) says experts are travelling to Syria and can start investigations on Saturday.
Why is that the West considering military action?
The involve action comes following a suspected chemical attack upon the rebel-held town of Douma on Saturday, which killed a large number of people, consistent with opposition activists, rescue workers and medics.
Chemical weapons attacks are suspected to possess taken place in Syria before. Last year, the US launched a retaliatory strike against one said to possess taken place in Khan Sheikhoun.
President Bashar al-Assad's government - which receives military backing from Russia - has denied involvement in a chemical attack, calling the reports fabricated.
Can there be proof from the recent 'chemical attack'?
The Violations Documentation Center (VDC ), which records alleged violations of international law in Syria, said bodies were found with foam in the mouth, discoloured skin and burns towards the eyes.
On Thursday, US officials were quoted as saying that samples from victims had tested positive for chlorine and also a nerve agent.
Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron said he‘d proof the Syrian government had attacked Douma with chemical weapons, without giving further details.
Inside the UK, cabinet ministers agreed that it was eventually highly likely the Assad regime was liable for the alleged attack and said the usage of chemical weapons must not go unchallenged.
During a phone call late on Thursday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump agreed upon the got to deter chemical weapon use in Syria.
They agreed to keep working closely on the difficulty, Mrs May's office said inside a statement.
What has Trump said in regards to the attack?
On Sunday, the day following the attack, the US president said Russian President Vladimir Putin bore responsibility to the atrocity in rebel-held Douma, due to his support to the Syrian government.
Mr Trump, who has got cancelled a planned trip abroad, is canvassing support for strikes coming from the leaders of France and also the UK.
On Wednesday he said the missiles were coming, but on Thursday he tweeted that he‘d never said when. It could possibly be very soon or otherwise so soon in the least, he said.
He later told reporters in the White House : We're owning a meeting today on Syria... We‘ve in order to make some further decisions. So they will be made fairly soon.
Also on Thursday, US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis told a congressional panel : I think there would be a chemical attack and We‘re attempting to find the particular evidence.
What‘s Russia's position?
Russia has described the reports of the chemical attack like a provocation designed to justify Western intervention.
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he hoped logic would prevail and the situation would stabilise.
He added that Russia would keep all its international obligations in full.
SOURCE LINK : http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43747922
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