site.news_by_theme Bashar al-Assad
Syria rebels say chemical weapons moved to borders
Syrian rebels have accused strongman Bashar al-Assad of moving chemical weapons to the country's borders, after his beleaguered regime said it would use its stockpiles if attacked.
25 July 2012
US warns Syria against using chemical weapons
US President Barack Obama has warned Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad it would be a "tragic mistake" to unleash chemical weapons, after Damascus admits it has a stockpile and will use them if attacked.
24 July 2012
Syria rebels seize Iraq border as UN action blocked
Rebels seized control of Syria's border crossings with Iraq on the bloodiest day of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, as China and Russia dismayed the West by blocking UN action against his regime.
20 July 2012
Annan, Ban call on UN Council to act on Syria
UN chief Ban Ki-moon and international envoy Kofi Annan called on the UN Security Council to take strong action on the Syria conflict ahead of a vote Thursday on a western-backed resolution calling for sanctions.
19 July 2012
Assad will use chemical weapons: top defector
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will use chemical weapons against opposition forces and may have already deployed them, Nawaf Fares.
18 July 2012
Pressure on Assad as West plans Syria sanctions
Pressure mounted on Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday as Western powers drew up a 10-day sanctions ultimatum.
13 July 2012
Russia, Assad foe seek common ground in Moscow
Russia will host a top opponent of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday hoping to find common ground with one of the most scathing critics of its refusal to turn against the Damascus regime.
12 July 2012