World UN Accuses Assad of 'Crime Against Humanity' as Russia-US Talks Continue

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LequteMan

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UN chief Ban Ki-moon has accused Bashar al-Assad of crimes against humanity as Washington and Moscow held crucial talks on dismantling Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

Though he did not blame the regime directly, Mr Ban said UN inspectors will publish an "overwhelming report" that chemical weapons were used in an attack near Damascus that left hundreds dead.

He said the Syrian leader had "carried out many crimes against humanity" and insisted there had to be "accountability" once Syria's civil war is over.

Assad has vowed to relinquish his chemical arms, after the alleged attack prompted threats of a US-led military strikes.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov were holding a second day of talks in Geneva Friday to hammer out the details of a Russian plan that emerged this week. The talks continued into the early hours of Saturday and are believed to last even longer.

The last-minute Russian initiative caused US President Barack Obama to back away from planned military strikes in response to the chemical attack.
 
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