Russia seizes Kerry Syria slip

US Senator John McCain and Lindsey Graham said the possibility of Syrian President Assad giving up control of his chemical weapons should make members of Congress more willing to vote for the authorization for the use of military force. In a joint statement, the paid said:

Russia's surprise diplomatic offer has wrong-footed President Obama over his plans for missile strikes against Syria.

Syria has apparently agreed to hand over its chemical weapons after an off the cuff remark from John Kerry.

Tonight America called such a handover an important step.

ITV News International Editor Bill Neely reports from Syria on Russia's diplomatic sleight of hand:

John Kerry told Russian foreign minister that he had serious scepticism when the Russians offered to explore the idea of Syria putting its chemical weapon stockpile under international control.

The US Secretary of State also stressed to Sergei Lavrov that the idea would not delay the Obama administration's efforts to use force in Syria.

Kerry also told Lavrov that US will not "play games" but if a serious proposal was made that America would consider it.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has told Russia that his comments about Syria averting a US strike by surrendering chemical weapons were rhetorical.

Mr Kerry made the comments while speaking in London.

Speaking to Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov Mr Kerry said that his comments were not meant to be a proposal.

Read more: US to take a 'hard look' at Russian Syria proposal

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed President Barack Obama's attempts to seek military action against Syria and urged Congress to support him.

In a White House event about wildlife trafficking, Clinton diverted from the subject to comment on efforts to pressure Syria.

It would be an "important step" if the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad immediately ceded control of chemical weapons, she said.

Read more: Russia urges Syria on weapons

"The Assad regime's inhumane use of weapons of mass destruction against innocent men, women and children violates a universal norm at the heart of our global order," Clinton said.

The State Department has said that US will to take a 'hard look' at the Russian proposal that Syria turns over its chemical weapons to international control.

The Secretary-General has accused the Security Council of suffering from an "embarrassing paralysis" on Syria and called on the international community to overcome the deadlock.

Ban Ki-Moon says he is considering asking the UN Security Council to demand Syria immediately transfer chemical weapons to safe sites where they can be destroyed.

Syria has welcomed Russia's proposal that its chemical weapons are placed under international control, according to Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem who is in Moscow for talks.

Praising the Kremlin for seeking to "prevent American aggression" Moualem stopped short of saying explicitly that President Bashar al-Assad's government accepted it.Moualem said:

"The Syrian Arab Republic welcomes the Russian initiative, motivated by the Syrian leadership's concern for the lives of our citizens and the security of our country, and motivated by our confidence in the wisdom of the Russian leadership, which is attempting to prevent American aggression."

David Cameron has said that Syria should be encouraged to put its chemical weapons beyond use and under international supervision.

However the Prime Minister added that the idea must not be used as a 'distraction tactic.'

The US has accused Russia of more delay after foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow will push Syria to place its chemical weapons under international control.

A Senior Administration official said: "The Russians are using this as yet another delay tactic to protect the Assad regime and prevent them from being held accountable for gassing its own people."

"We're making our own decisions about a military response on our own timeline, period."

Background - Russia urges Syria: 'Put chemical weapons under international control'