but sergei lavrov is very forceful and forward.y seemed a little meek and on his heels today. almost like he was shocked by what was going on. do you expect anything different? and by the way, do we really want our secretary of state with sir gaye lavrov today, hours after they initiate strikes, that they didn't tell us about? >> i think you actually do want secretary kerry there face to face with lavrov. what you want, and this is what i'm not sure what the message is that he delivered privately. because publicly the message in the last 24 hours, even in the last 12 hours since we first reported about this russian demarche, this request for u.s. war planes and u.s. personnel to leave syria. ever since then, the public statements by the defense secretary here at the pentagon is that we will keep talking to the russians. that's the message being put out. there are no consequences that are being threatened at this point there are no sanctions being talked about. there are no -- the, i feel that from reading the tea leaves here and at

. >> well, in the background sergei lavrov.e see bang can i moon with mahmood abbas, in the red tie. the turkish prime minister. we would be able to see u.n. secretary general if it weren't for the scrambling of the cameraman and the broad back of the gentleman in front. but i think we can probably hear him. >> foreign ministers, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen and friends, this is a day of pride for palestinians around the world. it is a day of hope. it is a reminder that symbols are important, and that the symbol can lead to action in the right direction. the symbolism of raising your flag at the united nations reflect the commitment of the palestinian authorities to pursue the long held agreement of the palestinian people for their own state. it also symbolizes the longstanding commitment of the united nations to support palestinian aspirations. we can be under no illusion that this ceremony represents the palestinian statehood that requires decisive action to balance national unity. insuring that the west bank in gaza in

and he said you'll have to ask lavrov.the russian foreign minister's speech, there were a couple of other things worth remarking on, and one of the ideas was one of the few ideas where perhaps there might be agreement, and that's the idea of some sort of contact with regional and international players. and the other idea was coming up with something from the u.n. charter, a dormant body of military staff committee. that perhaps, he says could be the coordinating body, shiulie. ♪ >>> the security council is meeting to discuss the fight against isil. >>> a major storm drenches the region, as an even bigger tropical threat looms. joaquin is now a hurricane. >>> and for the first time in 70 years, the state of georgia has executed a woman. a man is scheduled to

sergei lavrov met his japanese count part fumio kishida in moscow. lavrov suggested russia, then the soviet union, made japan's northern territory its territory as a consequence of world war ii. russia controls the four islands. japan claims them. japan maintains the islands are an inherent part of its territory. it says they were illegally occupied after the war. the two agreed to resume vice ministerial level talks on a peace treaty on october 8. >> translator: japan would like to resolve the territorial issue with the four islands and we'd like to keep negotiating to find a solution that can satisfy both sides under basic policy which is a conclusion of the peace treaty. >> lavrov referred to kishida's use of the term "northern territories." >> translator: first of all, as far as the russian delegation is concerned, we did not discuss the northern territories. neither the northern territories of japan nor those of russia are the subject of our dialogue. >> lavrov says the issue under discussion was the signing of a peace treaty. on the economic fr

sergei lavrov. we have some differences on the details. i think many of us would describe the detail of whether president assad can still be involved in the governance of syria is a little bit more than just a detail. they did say that although they don't agree on the fundamental point. that fundamental point, which is basically stopping or hindering the fight against isil, but also stopping the peace process, and any sort of transition in syria. they do say that they have some new ideas that they both propose that they want to take back to their capitals for consultation. i suspect one of those is an idea floated by the russians, by the u.n. by various other parties in the last week or so, which is the idea of some international contact group, international players and regional players getting together to continue discussing the situation in syria. i don't think we have any great break through, felicity. one interesting thing perhaps i should share with you. when you hang around the cor corridors of the united nations, you get to see thin

were just watching secretary kerry at the united states with the foreign minister of russia, sergei lavrov. russia backs u.s.-backed rebel strongholds in syria. backing up syrian leader bashar al assad. to set the table with breaking news from the region, let's look back. three years and a month ago, president obama said this about syria's use of chemical weapons. >> we have been very clear to the assad regime, but also to other players on the ground that a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons being moved around or being utilized. that would change my cal kuls that would change my equation. >> chemical weapons were used. in the weeks and months after that the president repeatedly insisted assad's days in power were numbered. >> i'm confident that assad's days are numbered. >> fast forward to this week and a day after president obama met with russia leader vladimir putin, russia acts on its own to start an attack. not on isis, but on syrian rebels who want to take assad out of power. including the u.s.-supported free syrian army. leaving u.s. officials today

which is what kerry has been told by lavrov.vrov. >> ifill: is this cold war suspension or do we have reason to be worried if. >if. the administration will say they do not want to be gamed like where president putin and lavrov consistently lied to them not only to them on the phone, face to face but lied to the world whether they were going to ukraine and what they were doing in ukraine. so this time they didn't want to be sucked into that. they also want to make sure, you know, if his intention is to help assad fight i.s.i.s. and they adopt assad's view, which is everybody opposed to me is a terrorist, well, the u.s. is the one that sucked into that kind of endeavor or that kind of partnership. >> ifill: i can understand that but how does face-to-face talks mean they will get the truth? >> excellent point. kerry has already had three conversations with lavrov. based on what happened in ukraine, there is no guarantee they will be telling the truth, and the interventions with lavrov on the phone have, so far, not slowed the russi

doubt sergey lavrov about what he says, in terms of supplying military support and equipment. so that i think we are taking on face value their claims about what they are doing. the ultimate intent in goal, i think, still, is a little uncertain. >> on capitol hill, senate armed services committee john mccain said that russian vladimir putin is capitalizing on u.s. inaction, issuing a statement saying:. >> the russians are going to have to start getting a little smarter than they have been. they are threatening -- threatened in many ways by i.s.i.l. they have large muslim populations that historically have caused a lot of problems inside of russia. and the strategy that they are pursuing now, doubling down on bashar al-assad, i think is a big smag. >> so far to nighter planes or helicopters arrived at the base, only the russian t 90 fangs and sa 22 anti-aircraft missiles. the united states warned moscow that by propping up the regime of bashar al-assad, it risks making unstable an already unavailable situation. moscow says it's not doing anything new, simply supporting its long

in a telephone conversation with his russian counterpart sergey lavrov, the second in a few games, if the reports are true, pictures released by activists show russian fighters backing syrian forces and there are reports that russian military

before sergey lavrov's confirmation. the u.s. government has been concerned about an apparent build up of russian military personal and equipment inside syria. the russians have been allies of the government of bashar al-assad. but the u.n. has constantly warned moscow not to provide concrete support for bashar al-assad's government, as it fights a war. the u.s. is concerned that the presence of additional troops could be destabilizing. because of its ongoing fight against i.s.i.l. meant that the u.s. and the syrians agreed not to engage. the presence of a large and powerful military force in the form of the russian military could aggravate tensions and cause something that the u.s. does not want to the have to respond to. there's this. the russians have long had a longstanding military presence at a military installation. it's the russians only access to the mediterranean sea. the u.s. government has been concerned about anything that would help bashar al-assad stay in power and certainly the support of a very powerful nation's

i asked the chinese foreign minister about he certainly relied, you'll have to ask lavrov. >> okay.es. they are obviously staying tight lipped at the moment. james bayes at the u.n. in new york. >>> 16 turkish workers who were kidnapped in iraq have been released. security forces have now taken them to the turkish embassy in the capitol baghdad. two other hostages were released earlier this month. >>> large numbers of people are leaving kunduz after the taliban seized control. u.s. and nato special forces are supporting the afghan army in taking back the city. but afghan security forces tell al jazeera the fight has been tougher than planned. mohammed jamjoom reports. >> reporter: as reinforcements arrive, and heavy fighting continues, afghan security forces struggle to regain control of kunduz from the taliban. >> government problem is first of all the people, and second is mine -- they put the mines in the road, and a big container on the road that is full of mine and the explosive equipment. >> reporter: the captain and his fellow fighters haven't been able to reach their target

that will include conversations between secretary kerry and foreign minister lavrov that will includehe operational level deconfliction talks and include the department of defense's analysis about exactly what targets russia has hit and what the result of those strikes has been. >> reporter: but the fact that no one is saying they seem to be hitting anything to do with isis, does that not bother you? >> i'm just saying that our experts are taking a close look at this. it's too early for me to share conclusions at this point. the department of defense if they have greater analysis they'll share it with you. mark? >> reporter: putting aside the question of exactly what was targeted today, did the president or has anyone on the u.s. side say to president putin or others in the russian government "we are arming, we are backing some groups in syria, do not target them"? have you issued that warning? >> well, i think that is -- that would be part of the kind of -- let me say a couple things. i can't account for all of the conversations and i certainly would refer you to the state department

. >> we understand now that secretary kerry and lavrov, foreign minister lavrov, talked in new york today by phone. secretary kerry expressed concern about the air strikes today saying they would not interfere with u.s.-led coalition strikes in the area. and that they had to figure out a way to deconflict. when you're in a situation where there could be an accidental engagement between russian and american planes. >> first of all, the russians should stay out of the way. second of all, isn't it fascinating that kerry keeps calling lavrov? he called him three times last week as the build-up went on to find out what was going on. i don't think he got much of an answer. isn't it clear, yet, that putin is going to do what he wants to do? because he believes he can do it with impunity. is this the way we're supposed to -- the russians respond to our please to work to de-conflict? the scenario that you just described that took place in baghdad, it's really remarkable. >> and what about the fact that in just 48 hours ago the president was meeting for the first time in a formal setting with vladi

>> given that the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov has said that the russian military is on the ground because the russian military is making good of its promise of military material, that presence cannot be carried out without the presence of the russian military. they'll have a discussion over who is exactly correct. that said, the obama administration is very concerned about what it says it is seeing at latakia. what intelligence it is using to confirm the presence of tanks among other pieces of equipment. there has been concerned whereas secretary of state john kerry has called sergey lavrov twice in the past weeks, to express his concerns about the apparent increase and a russian military presence in that country. and try to signal that the russians should dial it back. however the pentagon is saying on monday from what it can gather the russians are trying to establish what appears to be a forward operating air base and that's something you only see in combat operations. >> rosalyn jordan, with the latest in washington, d.c. thank you. >>> egyptian officials say eight mexi

he's meeting with the russian foreign minister lavrov right now. there you see the microphone at the united nations. we'll have coverage once he emerges from that meeting. but it does look very awkward right now. president obama met earlier this week on monday with president putin at the united nations. there you see the two of them sort of cold handshake once they got together for their little meeting. lavrov's been meeting with kerry and all of a sudden russia launches these strikes apparently taking the u.s. by surprise. how awkward is this? >> yeah, sure, there's going to be some awkward conversations there. but i think another awkward point that i see in all of this is that as we've seen today members of the administration criticizing what russia has done and targeting this city in syria, targeting these groups like al qaeda and al nusra who want to take out assad, but not seeing the irony in the fact that the united states is standing silently by and supporting turkey as turkey takes out the kurds who have been our most reliable, most effecti

. >> reporter: sergei lavrov, the foreign minister is making really this case for -- for giving these-- this heavy arm's shipment to syria, solely to fight the threat from isil. his spokesman said the threat is evidence and the only force capable of stopping that threat on the ground is -- is syria. he is saying that air strikes alone won't be enough, and this is why this -- this hardware, this military hardware is going in that direction, but it does really beg the question, how is russia going to ensure that those weapons are being used against isil and not being used in this four and a half year civil car -- war that has cost the lives of 200,000 people. lavrov is also saying that the pentagon has suspended its cooperation -- operational corroboration with russia at the moment, and the kremlin and the foreign ministry especially are asking that that be renewed, because at the moment there are u.s. and russian forces operating in, around, and above syria. >>> the polls have closed in singapore, after the most competitive lobing shun ever. the ruling party has been in power for the l

sergei lavrov is a very experienced diplomat and now the foreign minister for russia. he used to be the ambassador to the united nations here for about ten years. of course, top of their agenda today is going to be the fact that the upper house in moscow has just approved sending russian military hardware including jets and troops to syria. now, in a sense it's just a rubber stamping exercise, because we know the troops are already there, 500 marines and jets and tanks and all sorts of things over there. the key question and in many ways the only question is what is russia actually going to do with those troops and hardware? will they use it to fight isil, or will they use to bolster the opposition forces presently against russia's ally, president assad of syria? nobody knows. that's the key question and what the secretary wants to know of sergei lavrov whether they meet today. probably no firm outcome, but we should get a written statement from both of them. >> thank you. >>> 19 countries including the u.s. are now backing a new fund to help the united nations combat

. >>> secretary of state john kerry discusses the matter with sergey lavrov. hassan rouhani, says it would make syria the haven for terrorists. >>> james bays jadiplomatic edis has this. >> france has been involved in strikes on i.s.i.l. targets in iraq for over a year. now for first time the french president has ordered his attacks in the defensive action. >> france struck genes training camp of islamic state of iraq and the levant, threatening the security of our country. this operation was to protect our territory to prevent further terror attacks to act in civil defense. the camp was totally destroyed. some other strikes could take place in the coming weeks if necessary. still, with the same goal. >> reporter: france is part of the u.s. led coalition against i.s.i.l. but in an interview with the u.s. network cbs and pbs, president putin said that and the training of opposition forces in syria is illegal because it's not authorized by assad's government which still holds the country's u.n. seat. >> translator: and it's my deep belief that any actions to the

sergei lavrov is hosting a counterterrorism meeting. for more on that, we go to new york to jessica. different sides of the fence. russia is still determined to work with it. how with that pan out in this meeting today? jessica: it is looking increasingly like russia versus the united states. we can expected a at the u.n. security meeting that, as is often the case, hosted by the russian foreign minister, sergei lavrov -- as you heard said earlier this week, president putin's call for a broad alliance, a coalition to fight the islamic state in syria and interact. -- and iraq. the russians are calling for a u.n. security council resolution, taking the moral the ground and saying that strikes that have been carried out over the last year by the u.s., and some more recent strikes by france, are a legal under international law. we can expect more finger-pointing and perhaps some efforts to work together as well. what is interesting is also to have a look at what is happening on the diplomatic front in terms of the political negotiations reg

. >> secretary of state john kerry called russian counterpart sergey lavrov about a russian build up of military support for the bashar al-assad regime. >> the u.s. secretary of state john kerry telephoned the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov, to express the united states concern with what it calls russia's enhanced military build up in syria. in recent days there has been what the u.s. sees worrisome activity, transport of housing units to syrian battlefield, as well as the fact that the they are having to transport an air traffic control to that syrian battlefield. if those reports are accurate, that this action by russia will, in fact, escalate the conflict inside syria, leading to a greater lose of innocent life and contribute to an increased flow of refugees and risk confrontation with the anti-i.s.i.l. coalition working inside of syria. as a result, john kerry pledging to call for further discussions with sergey lavrov, when the two will meet this month in new york city. where the two will hold a bilateral discussion on this, and other issues of concern, with regard to th

secretary of state john kerr met with sergei lavrov. >> three times in ten days. that's how frequently the secretary of state john kerry has spoken to his russian counterpart sergei lavrov. on wednesday kerry said that lavrov suggested that programs a military-to-military contact between the two countries, contact has been called off since march 2014 because of russia's involvement in ukraine. while the secretary of state said no final decision had been made, he didn't dismiss the idea when it comes to trying to resolve the crisis in syria out of hand. >> words will not answer all of the questions here. it's actions. and it's what will be determined going forward in various specific ways, but you have to have a conversation in order to be able to do that. and it is vital to avoid misunderstandings, miscalculations not to put ourselves in a predicament where supposing something and s supposition is wrong. >> they're looking at the adviser and train assist program for rebels involved in the civil war against bashar al-assad. instead of trying to set up a full-fledge

we'll see if sergei lavrov, his russian counterpart joins him. showed you a clip of hillary clinton talking to reverend al sharpton, he has a brand new interview with secretary clinton. we got a little bit more from that, her responding to a benghazi issue. stay tuned. any way you want it... sweet, buttery, and creamy. like new pineapple habanero coconut shrimp bites... ...and teriyaki grilled shrimp. and yeah, it's endless, but it won't last forever. awe believe active management can protect capital long term. active management can tap global insights. active management can take calculated risks. active management can seek to outperform. because active investment management isn't reactive. it's active. that's the power of active management. rheumatoid arthritis like me... and you're talking to a rheumatologist about a biologic, this is humira. this is humira helping to relieve my pain and protect my joints from further damage. this is humira helping me reach for more. doctors have been prescribing humira for more than 10 years. humira works for

sergei lavrov is hosting meeting. he says it is a mistake for the u.s. others not to work with syria's leader assad to fight extremists. >> translator: isil practically creating extremist state which possesses a large oppressive potential. isil cells are fush flourishing in other countries, and they claim they plan on capturing other cities and spreading their evil. >> our john terrett has been covering all of the meetings at the united nations general assembly. john, what strikes me is yesterday president obama was focused on terrorism and isil. today we have the acting president or leader of the security council, russia -- it's a rotating leadership, doing the same thing. >> this is day three of leaders week at the u.n. general assembly, and going on in that great big hall, the general assembly is continuing with speakers coming up from a wide range of countries, including latvia, serbia, djibouti, we're going to hear from the president of the palestinians of course. >> in the assembly. >> in the assembly, but what you're looking at now is the chinese

the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov says the shipments are made alongside humanitarian aid in accordance with existing contracts. russian aircraft are flying into an airfield. around 100 russian soldiers have been spotted there. some construction work is taking place. several russian ships have been unloading equipment at the naval base. 100km to the south. russia backed the syrian president throughout the country's 4.5 years civil war. and says he must be included in a settlement. al jazeera's omar salah has more. >> reporter: there's a major russian military build up at an airfield and in latakia, it is said to help bashar al-assad and its forces. russian foreign minister sergey lavrov admitted russian aircraft are delivering military supplies and humanitarian aid, but denied military build up. >> reporter: we'll help and continue to aid the syrian government, in equipping the syrian army with all that is necessary to help those in the libyan scenario. and other events that occurred in this region, because of an obsession by western partners, with ideas of changing unwanted

>> well, lavrov explained it. absolutely, he said you don't need to go any further. he said we don't want our western partners to be the only people stabilizing the region. we actually want to stabilize it, and also, what they're not saying, that russia has some interest in -- they have a military base and a naval base. and it is really getting very close to maybe being taken over by the isis. and they're very afraid of that. >> you don't believe the reporting -- that russian troops are now fighting alongside the syrian military? >> i'm sure that they are providing some assistance? in their random battalions here and there, and i wouldn't discard that. >> but they're going to deny the way that they have always denied military involvement where they should not be involved. but if the united states can deny various reports that the united states is involved in various conflicts, so russia can be involved in various conflicts, and decide that it can be politically denied. >> so a lot of us can understand the geo politics of what's going on between the united states and

. >> i was talking about that with our russian friends, with lavrov in the state. last time i talked to him his fear was about the complete collapse of the state structure in syria. this could be one of the reasons why russia is acting in this way, but it could also be a willingness to show the fact that russia is an important, substantial player in this crisis. >> james, how significant is the comments that she's made? >> reporter: i think it's significant for this reason. never before have we heard that russia is concerned about the future of assad and the regime. there's lots of speculate that assad is in deep trouble. he's even said he had to withdraw from some areas to concentrate on other areas. the fact that lavrov told her he feared the collapse of the syrian state, well, that's the first time we've ever heard russia, syria's close ally, suggesting that. so i think that is an important backdrop to the discussions taking place here on syria. they're not just involving the russians, of course. meetings are going on earlier today between the iranian foreign mi

i can tell that you sergei lavrov said that they were talking about how they can have communication to avoid any unintended incidents in the air over syria. he said that he agreed that syria should be democratic, united and secular, but they had disagreements about how to get to that position. john kerry said that as soon as possible there would be a military-to-military meeting to avoid deconfliction that could take place as soon as tomorrow. russia launches airstrikes against targets in syria. >> hello there, i'm felicity barr. you're watching al jazeera live from london. also coming up. the palestinian flag is raised for the first time at the u.n. as the president says he no longer is bound by any agreement with israel. >>> afghan forces backed by u.s. and nato continue their fight for the control of the city of kunduz. the man

i understand that secretary kerry is speaking with minister lavrov. i think these discussions are good. it doesn't mean that you gray, but you have the opportunity to clarify where we think the russians are making a mistake. >> whewill you be speaking with your counterpart? >> i will not rule that out. i think these personal contacts are good. i've done that many years in my course of th my career, but that will not be the next step. >> we wanted to ask about women in combat. the marines have asked for a waiver barring women from some ground and combat infantry units. >> let me back up, i don't want to characterize, there are no recommendations made to me yet. remember the process here, which is the services are doing analysis. what they owe to first the chairman and ultimately to me by the end of the year is their analys analysis, their studies, their thoughts about which specialties if any should be left closed to women, and importantly, how they intend to make any adaptations that are required. it's all important. the only point i want to make at t

the kerry-lavrov meeting happened yesterday. leaders from around the globe will be listening to what putin has to say. >> russian president vladimir putin arrives in new york monday for his first address to the united nations in a decade and a sideline meeting with president obama. a stunning diplomat double play that calls timeout in the year long white house effort to isolate russia over ukraine. >> the president did make a decision that it was worth it at this point to engage with president putinnen a face-to-face meeting. >> the white house has said the meeting will primarily focus on ukraine. it's syria that's changed the calculus between the two leaders. refugees fleeing the civil war in syria are fueling europe's migrant crisis, and in recent weeks, russia's sudden deployment of troops, fighter jets and military hardware to a coastal stronghold of syrian president centrifuge has underpinned kremlin appeal for an international coalition to fight isil, a plan which leaves bashar al assad's future in question, but which puti

i will tell you something, i have known sergei lavrov for 2 a years. this was a moment of triumph for him today at the u.n. >> why is putin doing this and now? >> in the immorality words of bill clinton because he can. because he sees weakness on the part of the united states, sees irresolution in the effort to stop isis. he strongly get assad boosted in power, to create an axis, which he has effectively done of iran, the satellite government in baghdad. the assad regime in syria and the hezbollah terrorist in will be none. he wants to strengthen russia's military position in the united states, which has done. sees no effective american pushback. we haven't seen the last of this. >> ambassador bolton, thank you, sir. and earlier secretary of state john considery went "on the record." now, is in new york city for the u.n. general assembly. weave spoke to secretary kerry just hours before russia began their surprise air strikes in syria. late yesterday, secretary kerry and i talked about vladimir putin and ice isis. >> mr. secretary, nice to see you, sir

john kerry making the second phone call in a week to his counterpart russian foreign minister sergei lavrovnd not getting complete answers. officials i have spoken to say they see evidence that the russians have unloaded military ships at syrian ports, offloading vehicles and troops and airfield equipment for temporary quarters. they believe the russians are laying the ground work for military operations in syria. now the u.s. is objecting to this in the strongest terms because they believe the russian plan may be to do all of this to try to bolster syrian president bashar al assad. he is in rough shape. the fighting has been very fierce and the theory is the russians want to strike the rebels that assad is battling so assad can stay in power. the u.s. problem with all of that is obviously the u.s. feels the violence needs to come to an end. assad needs to go and if assad stays in power as an agent or proxy of moscow, this will prolong the violence. u.s. satellites are watching russian airfields to see what comes next. the concern is if the russians move the fighter jets in syria. john, chr

the meeting between kerry and lavrov is now being appropriate. >> the russians proposed in the conversation that i had today and the last conversations specifically that we have military-to-military conversation and meeting in order to discuss the issue of precisely what will be done to deacon flick with respect to any potential risks that might be run, and to have a complete and clear understanding as to the road ahead and what the intentions are. you have to have a conversation in order to be able to move forward. we're supposing something, and the supposition is wrong. >> roslind jordan joins us now. what do you know? >> well, it doesn't sound as if the secretary of state ruled out the possibility of military-to-military contact, but that is something that would have to be signed off by the white house. because at the end of the day the disruption was carried out in march of 2014. that was in response to russian incursion into ukraine and it's taking over of the province of crimea. they're saying in the last 24 hours as long as a person such as the secretary of state have ways of talking

foreign minister sergey lavrov held a news conference which he called on world powers to arm government forces loyal to syrian president bashar al-assad. lavrov said you cannot defeat the islamic state with airstrikes alone and that it is necessary to cooperate with ground troops. russia, of course, has been escalating its military presence in syria over the past week, and have flown in more than a thousand russian combatants to syria, some of them from the same plainclothed special forces units sent into crimea and eastern ukraine. that buildup began days after a secret meeting between russian president putin and the iranian quds force commander soleimani but the state department is downplaying the buildup. >> i don't think i would call it a buildup. it's unclear what the military activities are about. i don't know we're ready to call it a buildup, necessarily. lou: that is a remarkable statement and response from any spokesperson for any administration that i have ever heard, let alone from a former admiral. >>> despite the effort to downplay the buildup, secretary of state kerry toda

. >> the russian news agency said that the meeting between kerry and lavrov is being prepared. >> as for the president, he comes to power with the people's ascent through elections. if he leaves, he leaves because the people demand it. not because of the adjustments of the united states, the u.n. security council, the geneva conference or the geneva communique. if the people want the president to stay, he should stay. and if that's not the case then he should step down. >> so what more do we know about this promised meeting? >> the secretary has spoken three times in the last ten days with the russian foreign minister about the situation in syria. and about other crisis hot spots around the world, he said. but what is important to note when kerry suggested that there might an need for military-to-military conversations about dealing with the ongoing civil war inside syria as well as dealing with the ongoing fight against isil, it is interesting that the secretary of state raised it because d.o.d. canceled those contacts about 18 months ago because of russia's perceived aggression ins

secretary of state john kerry has called russian counterpart sergei lavrov about possible russian militaryalyse, what are you hearing? >> reporter: well, martin, you've seen in recent days russians have sent some sort of buildup of russian advance. delivery of a portable air traffic control system there. it doesn't necessarily say that russian troops are going there, but it does seem as if russia is increasing its support. and that's why secretary kerry called the foreign minister to discuss the buildup, saying if those reports are accurate, it could further escalate the conflict. secretary kerry has been working with the russian foreign minister lavrov trying to get a political solution in syria. it's been a long slog, but you've seen some recent activity in the last few months indicating that they may be trying to get something going. so if the russians are indeed

sergey lavrov comments come after u.s. secretary of state john kerry expressed concerns about reports of increasing russian military activity in syria. let's go to moscow. talk us through this announcement and what russia involvement there is. >> going back 60 years, ruer's been supplying syria with arms and advisors and military equipment, and nothing much has really changed. between 2009 and 2011, russia was supplying 71% of syria's military needs, everything from jets to military equipment to air defense systems. sergey lavrov, the russian foreign minister said this continues to take place. russia has got a naval port, a base at tartas so obviously has advisors there. he did make a distinction that there has been addition air traffic coming into the air base there and now says that military equipment, as well as humanitarian aid are being taken in on those flights. as far as boosting up boots on the ground, he said russian military specialists are working on training the syrians to use our weapons, not taking additional

a short time ago, john kerry and lavrov said that officials from both countries will meet together to it discuss this situation. mike viqueira joins us from washington, and mike, how is the administration responding to the russian airstrikes in syria >> reporter: richelle, there's no question, since the buildup in syria, americans are caught surprised and flat footed. yes, the russian move is like pouring gasoline on a fire, and you saw kerry and lavrov, they met behind closed doors at the united nations, but before that time, it's still unclear. this was the aftermath. 20 flights in all said the russian defense ministry, asserting that they hit isil tarts within syria, and others on the ground report extensive civilian casualties, and others, including ashley ash car were taken by surprise by russia's aggressive moves in syria. >> this is not the time that we should expect professional from the russian military >> reporter: the u.s. was informed at the last minute, said officials, delivering a blunt message to baghdad. russian bombs will fly soon, and coalition forces should stay cle

sergei lavrov saying shipments are being made along with humanitarian aid.ircraft has been flying into the airfield in the syrian port city. several russian ships have also been unloading equipment at its naval base 100 kilometers south. russia of course has backed syrian president bashar al-assad throughout the country's four and a half year civil war, and says he must be included in any settlements. >> reporter: there is a major russian buildup in syria's western port and at an airfield in a province. it says it is to help syrian president assad and its forces. the foreign minister denies any military build up. >> translator: we have helped and will continue aiding the syrian government in equipping the syrian army with all that is necessary for it to prevent a repetition of the libyan scenario, because of an obsession by some of our western partners with ideas of changing unwanted regimes. >> reporter: the syrian opposition and u.s. officials say russian is sending ships, personnel carries, and naval infa try to syria. there are unconfirmed reports of rus

earlier today at a conference as it happened convened by russia and it's foreign minister sergei lavrov. he said that the coalition airstrikes will continue, notwithstanding what russia is doing militarily. >> along with the airstrikes, russia has asked the u.s. to avoid air space over syria, but th they're saying no. why is that? >> basically the u.s. is not saying no, richelle. they want to enter into talks with russia to insure there is no military to military conflict or contact between the united states aircraft and coalition aircraft and russian aircraft, much less thayn assets that may be on the ground. the white house admitting moments ago at that same briefing where josh earnest was speaking, while there were plans for talks to take place, they had not even gun yet. this is something that has taken washington by surprise. vladimir putin and russia continue their aggressive moves to back the assad regime. >> mike viqueira in washington. thank you so much. also at the u.n. the palestinian flag is flying for the first time. palestinians spoke. let's go to the united nations. about

built the establishment and then was ready to strike and instead of revealing anything to kerry from lavrovhe has a british, a russian general show up at our embassy in baghdad an hour before it starts. and what's the first target? the people we are supporting and arming and training and equipping. what better way to stick their thumb in our eye? >> so the one who has had the strongest response to russian escalation in the region has been lindsey graham, i know you like him very much. >> i haven't heard nearly as much out of the other -- i mooid might have missed, as you know, i inform millions of people with the latest -- >> well let me just say -- >> what do you think of that? >> i think lindsey graham and i and joe lieberman have been to afghanistan and iraq 33 times. we were there saying rumsfeld had to resign because we needed to search. we've been there every year, every fourth of july for years and years. we know the situation. i know vladimir putin. so we predicted all of these things that we're going to happen. we have -- >> when donald trump and others like him say get the hell ou

lavrov trying to get a solution. it's been a long slog. you've seen recent activity in the last few months indicating they may be trying to get something going. if the russians are increasing their military presence, it would certainly complicate that. >> and that's the concern then, that somehow we're going to step away from a negotiated settlement here and it's more that the syrian regime is going to go forward with the military option. >> reporter: well, it could be a couple of things. it could be that the russians are going to escalate air strikes against isis. because isis is also going against the regime. but the real concern is that the russians are increasing their activity on behalf of president assad, against the opposition, or they may be taking steps to secure their own position if the assad government collapses. it's been very wobbly lately. the opposition has gotten some real gains on the battlefield in recent months. it is a concern. >> so if this is true, what can the u.s. really do about this? joining me now to discuss is

the foreign minister got together with his russian counterpart sergey lavrov in moscow. he drew attention to territorial dispute. he expressed regret over a series of visits by russian ministers to four islands called the northern territory. russia controls the islands. japan claims them. the japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of japan's territory. it says the islands were illegally occupied after world war ii. he said the visits are contrary to japan's position. he said the countries should discuss a solution that is acceptable to both sides and should base it on a statement issued at a 2013 summit by japan's prime minister shinzo abe and vladimir putin. they agreed to arrange a summit. they pledged to hold more working level consultations. >> israel's prime minister fears russian involvement in a nearby conflict could have disastrous results for his own country. benjamin netanyahu told vladimir putin russian arms flowing through syria could end up in the wrong hands. the leaders got together in moscow to discuss the crisis. netanyahu took to

happening, according to the obama administration, we have heard from the foreign minister, sergey lavrov suggesting this is part of simply providing the equipment which the syrians had bought from the russians you would need military personnel to help them set it up. and you have the syrians saying no such thing is happening at all. it is not really clear just what exactly is happening here but raising concerns here in washington. >> all right, rosalyn jordan, with a live update from washington, d.c, thank you. >>> francois hollande will brief the french parliament on tuesday. after his government began surveillance flights over the war torn country. >> translator: we are part of the coalition in iraq against i.s.i.l. we started reconnaissance flights in syria to enable us to consider air strikes if they were necessary and they will be necessary in syria. >> still ahead in al jazeera, trying to steady troubled waters, sri lanka's new leader. >> plus. >> i'm sahil raman on the great wall of china. why 30% of the historic monument has gone missing and furthermore i'll tell where you it's g

the secretary of state john kerry has called his counterpart sphrocounterpartsergey lavrov, . a complicated situation inside syria. the u.s. doesn't want to see that. and while the u.s. realizes the right of russia to have a relationship with syria that shouldn't enable bashar al-assad to continue his position, barbara. >> rosalind thanrozrosalyn, tha. >>> andrew, the border was meant to close at 22 gmt. we are hearing it is closing right now. give us an idea of the situation right now. >> reporter: well, the situation as you may well see coming behind me refugees walking past. they have been stopped further along here, at the point on the railway line where they have been crossing for weeks right now. you can see behind me this four meter high razor wire fence to seal it offs completely just of. we are being advised, there are posts four or five of these along this 175 kilometer border. as you pointed out this happened early, it had been known throughout hungary that the official time was when the legislation was due to take effect, midnight local 10 gmt p.m. that in fact was

meantime, amid uncertainty surrounding russia's military buildup in syria foreign minister sergey lavrov has proposed military to military contact between russia and united states, secretary of state isn't ruling it out. >> words will not answer all of the questions here. it's actions. and it's what will be determined going forward in very specific ways but you have to have a conversation in order to be able to do that. >> reporter: but the white house isn't commenting on whether reestablishing military contacts is a good idea. meaning there won't be a quick resolution to the crisis. rosalyn jordan, al jazeera, washington. >> the white house has announced that president obama will meet israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu in november, obama and netanyahu are expected to discuss the deal. >>> japan's upper house will vote on the proposed legislation that could see an end to its 70 years of pacifism. the opposition's trying to delay the passage of the bill which has already been passed in the lower house. prime minister shinzo abe enjoys a clear majority in the upper house, if the bil