resolved if assad thinks that's way more secure refused to take part in a meeting i've met with mr assad and with representatives of two opposition organizations i did not get the impression that it is the people versus assad in this conflict the situation is different a faction of the people is opposing the regime well another party supports mr assad well yet another faction does not want syria to fall into chaos they support the regime possible they do not support the idea of a surge into fields it is not black and white it is not a scenario where a whole nation rises up to overthrow a government they don't like they believe that the situation cannot be resolved without the regime when representatives of the gulf monarchies which do not have a single democratic institution start complaining about assad's regime being on their across yes i believe that that undermines the political and moral legitimacy of the friends of syria caught up is it a club of serious friends or a club of people who want bashar assad gone so that's a question we have to ask. about or we can see that full intervi

i have met with mr assad himself the foreign minister of a parliamentary speaker and with representatives of two opposition organizations i have to say that i did not get the impression that it is the people versus i sat in this conflict the situation is different is that a faction of the people is indeed a pacing the regime one other support mr assad has some quite actively while yet another faction does not want syria to fall into chaos they support the regime passively clearly not on the side of on the insurgents or the fish like they gain or support the idea of outside interference the situation therefore is not simple it's not black and white north. where a whole nation rises up to a withrow government they don't like but i can even quote one of the opposition representatives that i mentioned that they believe that the situation cannot be resolved without the regime being involved and they believe he has to be part of the solution the arab league believes the current regime should be toned down because even the same time they make no suggestions about how vents should develop after t

intelligence officials about anti assad explain mr washington has failed to widen its ceasefire calls to include armed opposition therefore basically ignoring the fears of a huge part of the syrian population who don't want radicals gaining momentum and dragging the country into chaos i'm going to check out reporting from washington i keep. iraq has admitted that weapons and fighters are seeping across that six hundred kilometer border with syria to fight the assad regime the army of free iraqis which once fought u.s. troops and iraq is now heading to syria the masked gunmen claim their aim is to monitor the border for any sign iraqi government is helping the beleaguered syrian regime baghdad has tightened security along the area which has become a sucker for arms smugglers lawrence davidson professor of middle east history and west chester university says this fits with the theories that the uprising has driven from outside. i think that. the people were picked up to go in syria are largely foreign funded and some of them are in fact foreigners and some of them are in fact deserted e

but to promote the idea that the conflicts can only be resolved if i sadly it is i have met with mr assad himself the foreign minister of a parliamentary speaker and with representatives of two opposition organizations i have to say that i did not get the impression that it is the people versus i sat in this conflict the situation is different just a fraction of the people is indeed opposing the regime while the other support mr assad has some quite actively right of while yet another faction does not want syria to fall into chaos or to force a support the regime passively like you are clearly not on the side of armed insurgents or the fish like you they do not support the idea of outside interference you know the situation therefore is not simple it's not black and white nor scenario where a whole nation rises up to overthrow governments they don't like us and see that i can even quote one of the opposition representatives i met with so they believe that the situation cannot be resolved without the regime being involved and they believe that he has to be part of the solution the arab lea

in this conflict situation is different some people are opposing the regime while others support mr assad but some support the regime passively and they do not back the idea of outside interference it's not black and white it's not a scenario where the whole nation rises up to overthrow a government they don't like when representatives of the gulf monarchies which do not have a single democratic institution start complaining about assad's regime being undemocratic but i believe that undermines the political and moral legitimacy of the friends of syria is it a club or syria's friends or a club of people who want to measure ourselves gone is because that's the question we have to ask so. political analyst abraham says the friends of syria group by backing the rebels is being used as a tool to stir up civil war. you can call it the meeting for the friends of the united states or the enemies of syria but you can call it a meeting for the friends of syria this meeting is supposed to enhance the legitimacy of the syrian national council and that the same time legitimize from outside the boundar

this conflict the situation is different some people are opposing the regime while others support mr assad but some support the regime passively and they do not back the idea of outside interference it's not black and white it's not a scenario where the whole nation rises up to overthrow a government they don't like when representatives of the gulf monarchies which do not have a single democratic institution start complaining about assad's regime being undemocratic but i believe that undermines the political and moral legitimacy of the friends of syria club is a club of syria's friends or a club of people who want to measure ourselves gone that's the question we have to ask. but washington has once again said it will consider what it calls additional measures if present asset doesn't yield to international pressure some analysts however happen if this hardline approach towards the conflict hinders serious chances of peace. the referendum which follows very proudly. veto in the security council really does open a prospect for a political solution. western states effectively have encouraged

are talking approximate a political solution, they would like to get the protested reforms that mr. assad has supposedly launched and sped up and made more real. they would also like some kind of dialogue going with the opposition, but they're not at all well placed to preside over that, because the relations with the opposition were already bad, and they've been made worse by the veto on saturday at the security council. >> now, a factory in the pakistani city of lahore has collapsed, killing several people, we understand, but trapping dozens more as well. the gas explosion caused the three-story building to collapse in a residential area. there's still around 60 people thought to be trapped inside. this is in lahore. it manufactured medicine. we'll be speaking to our correspondent a little bit later in the bulletin for more on that story. police in egypt have demonstrators outside the interior ministry in cairo. protesters have been demanding a swift presidential election and for an early handover of power by the army. this is finland's former finance minister, who has won the country's

situation but to promote the idea that the conflict can only be resolved if assad leaves i have met with mr assad and with the representatives of two opposition groups i did not get the impression that it is the people versus assad in this conflict the situation is different some people are opposing the regime while others support mr assad but some support the regime passively and they do not back the idea of outside interference it's not black and white it's not a scenario where the whole nation rises up to overthrow a government they don't like so when representatives of the gulf monarchies which do not have a single democratic institution start complaining about assad's regime being undemocratic if you can i believe that undermines the political and moral legitimacy of the friends of syria is it a club of syria's friends or a club of people who want to go on that's the question we have to. washington that could start supplying arms to the syrian rebels despite previously shying away from further militarizing the conflict the u.s. administration says if a political solution to the crisis is not

that's why mostly refused to take part in that because i've met with mr assad and with representatives of two opus ition organizations i did not get the impression that it is the people versus in this conflict his situation is different a function of the people in supposing the regime will another party supports mr assad well yet another faction does not want syria to fall into chaos they support the regime possibly they do not support the efforts that are going to feel it is not black and white it is not a scenario where a whole nation rises up to overthrow a government they don't like the believe that the situation cannot be resolved without the regime in representatives of the government's wish to not have a single democratic institution start complaining against such regimes being undemocratic and i believe that that undermines the political and moral legitimacy of the friends of syria is the club the city is friends or a club of people who want a sure. that's a question you have to ask. you can see that full interview right here on our thursday and what do you think will happen if

this conflict the situation is different some people are opposing the regime while others support mr assad but some support the regime passively and they do not back the idea of outside interference it's not black and white it's not a scenario where the whole nation rises up to overthrow a government they don't like when representatives of the gulf monarchies which do not have a single democratic institution start complaining about a century xii and being undemocratic if you believe that undermines the political and moral legitimacy of the friends of syria is it a club of syria's friends or a club of people who want to measure i said gone that's the question we have to ask . can we have just a few minutes here and r.t. tonight putting the smart money on nuclear intelligence while the u.n. to make agency struggles to reach a conclusion about iran's nuclear weapons and their intelligence agencies have their own evidence that it's not sitting well with israel as we explain. a ring of solidarity that was the hope of protestors who are calling for free and fair elections here in russia thousand

there are calls from mr. assad to stand down. here is this report.gunfire] parts of -- >> parts of homs have been battered like this for weeks as they tried to free the free syrian armor, -- army. government forces have yet to make a big push on the ground to wipe out all resistance, as they promised to do. this is far from being the only trouble spot. activists say at least 15 men were captured near the northern border with turkey. they say they were taken away and summarily executed. these claims were not verified, but these pictures would be hard to fake. what is happening with the general assembly is not affecting what is happening on the ground, but it gave a chance to air their views with the russians and chinese. >> in order to resolve the syrian crisis when there is a need to uphold the two principals, namely, the violence must be stopped by all sides, and it must be led by the syrian people itself -- themselves. >> china is willing to maintain communications with the government and various factions within syria. china will play a positive an

intelligence officials about anti assad explain mr washington has failed to widen its ceasefire to include armed opposition and therefore basically ignoring the fears of a huge part of the syrian population one radical gaining momentum and directing the country into chaos i'm going to check out reporting from washington our team. iraq has admitted that weapons and forces are seeping across its six hundred kilometer border with syria to fight the assad regime the army a free iraq is which ones for u.s. troops in iraq is now heading to syria the most common claim their aim is to monitor the border for any sign the iraqi government is helping the beleaguered syrian regime in baghdad has tightened security along the area which has become a center for smugglers well for more on the latest developments in syria and jordan live internet studies at trinity college in the u.s. . so we've just been hearing al-qaeda fighters are reportedly operating in syria on behalf of the opposition essentially on the same side as western powers and do you think they will be there to stay when the conflict is fina

they want to see a resolution that calls on mr. assad to go. with conditions worsening, the french are trying to get an agreement at the un. noe said countries are ready to step in to protect corridors. -- note outside countries are ready to step in to protect corridors. >> a humanitarian corridor needs to be pursued by the u.n. security council. >> as fate would have it, the western powers will be holding a friends of syria meeting just two days before the referendum takes place in syria itself. it is hard to see how such a big operation could be organized and carried out on the grounds in such condition. bbc news, beirut. >> the chinese vice president xi jinping has called for greater strategic understanding between the two powers. in the only formal address of his trip, he repeated his position that china welcomed america's constructive role in asia. he said the country should respect each other's core interests. there is optimism that a decision on a second group bailout will be taken in day. the head of the group -- on a second greek bailo

this is why i think it's mr love rove and the head of national security is going down to meet with mr. assad to actually get more proof because what russia already know they want all the world to know about it russia is sending foreign minister lavrov and the head of the foreign told foreign intelligence mikhail four out of to hold talks with the syrian government about because what do you think this mission will achieve. well i think this is a huge thing for actually mr lavrov and specially the head of national security there because first of all they know exactly like i said what's happening but the thing is they want to actually get more proof for the the whole world to understand them to know is what's happening there is not not a regime change this is an act of terrorism and there's gangs that's killing syrians left and right so basically really they're not anyone you're completely ignoring the government crackdowns on the people who are protesting for example the city of holes well i'll tell you something no definitely of course some day i have because first of all this is it's in outr

but to promote the idea that the conflicts can only be resolved if i sadly it is i have met with mr assad himself the foreign minister of a parliamentary speaker and with representatives of two opposition organization is i have to say that i did not get the impression that it is the people versus asaad in this with. the situation is different because there are a faction of the people is indeed opposing the regime while the other support mr our side of the sun quite actively reservoir yet another faction does not want syria to show into chaos or to force a support the regime passively but you are clearly not on the side of the on the insurgents or the special actually they do not support the i.j.a. outside interference sitting in the situation therefore is not simple it's not lack and white race the current regime will be the armed insurgents who have been stepping up their efforts to get to the top of the regime these efforts are supported by foreign states is that when you both arms shipments and i believe financially or soon will it be a third party as we have learned from the example o

resolved if assad leaves this way more school refused to keep part of the meeting i have met with mr assad and with representatives of two opposition organizations i did not get the impression that it is a people person in this conflict the situation is different the function of the people is opposing the regime well another party supports mistress' article yet another faction does not want syria to fall appeals they support the regime possibly they do not support the idea of a second two fields it is not black and white it is not a scenario where a whole nation rises up to overthrow a government people like they believe the situation cannot be resolved without the regime in representatives of the governments which do not have a single democratic institution start complaining about assad's regime being undemocratic and i believe that that undermines the political and moral legitimacy of the friends of syria is it a club or city its friends or a club of people who want but. that's a question after school so you. can see that full interview right here on our this thursday. on what do you thi

president obama says it is time for mr. assad> whether that is going to happen soon or whether it is going to take another couple months or so, ultimately the regime of assad has to fall but it could take a very long time before that happens. >> opposition forces in syria says the assad regime has killed thousands in the last year. >>> iran's foreign ministry is dismissing the new u.s. sanctions on iran calling them propaganda. president obama issued an executive order yesterday imposing new sanctions on iran's central bank in an effort to encourage the country to abandon it's nuclear program. but a spokesman for iran's foreign ministry says the financial institution has no financial transactions with the u.s. iran's says it's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes not weapons. >>> our time is 8:52 on a lighter note, banana sam is back and returning to his exhibit. at the end of december the well known squirrel monkey you see him was stolen from his enclosure at the san francisco zoo. zoo keepers say someone climbed on to the r

mr. assad's brutality, the cost in lives and odds of civil war will rise unless mr.re than bow before the false moral authority of the u.n." if indeed he goes through the u.n. there are other discussions going on, of course. >> max foster out of london. thanks. >>> and chilling new evidence in the murder/suicide investigation of josh powell. police say this may be one of the last message that powell left before he killed his two sons, then took his own life in a house explosion. >> hello, this is josh. and i'm calling to say good-bye. i am not able to live without my sons. and i am not able to go on anymore. i'm sorry to everyone i've hurt. good-bye. >> thelma gutierrez has been following the story from the beginning. thelma, what more can you tell us about this voicemail? >> reporter: i can say that with everything that we know now about this terrible crime, it is a chilling voice message. it was left by josh powell. he sent it to family members shortly before this explosion. he also sent a text message to his attorney shortly before the explosion saying "i'm sorry,

mr. president assad to move more swiftly. from the opposition point of view, reform is something that's the way in the realms of history in terms of possibility. the russians also want to get some sort of dialogue going. they're not really in a position to mediate with the opposition. they do not see how russia can't play a role. >> thank you very much. still to come on gmt -- >> no one knew then of the grow would arrive here as princess elizabeth would leave again five days later as clean. >> an anniversary to remember. elizabeth ii exceeded to the throne 60 years ago. look att's take a what's making headlines in some of the newspapers around the world. the conference in syria continues to dominate front pages. western and arab leaders are intensifying the diplomatic offensive against president assad's regime after a failure of the u.n. resolution calling for his removal from office. europe's the freeze is on the front of "the gulf news." people in spain and france braving the subzero weather. "the financial times" details t

the steps turkey could and should be taking at this stage to further increase peaceful pressure on assad. mr. speaker, in a statement the foreign secretary mentioned human suffering now being endured in syria. there are reports of more people fleeing across the borders of syria into neighboring countries and refugee camps along borders are struggling to meet increasing demands. can the foreign secretary confirm what conversations he's held with international development secretary on this matter and confirm to the house who within government is leading on the humanitarian response to this crisis. has the government requested a meeting of the council of eu development ministers to issue a growing response to the threat of a full blown humanitarian crisis? mr. speaker i wrote to foreign secretary on the weekend regarding the attack on the syrian embassy in london. while we share an undoubted sense of revulsion that the present actions of the assad regime i'm sure the government would agree that the protection of foreign embassies on our soil is a basic principle of international law that must b

minister is scheduled to visit damascus on tuesday where he will be meeting with syrian president assad on mr lavrov said moscow has no special concerns about president assad but has concerns about security in the world the security council meeting comes amid reports from syria of a new crackdown in the city of homs with hundreds reported dead damascus claims the killings were carried out by terrorists seeking to influence the un vote r.t. sarah ferguson has just returned from reporting in the region shares her insights. with regards to the situation in homes at the moment it's very hard to get a gauge on the accuracy of the figure is certainly a really high priority to try and get some kind of accurate information coming out from that because you know that does play a big part in how the international community are now going to respond to the situation certainly in the country the situation is that these people you've got an increasingly polarized country you've got a situation that just seems to be escalating all the time and these armed conflicts breaking out in areas with civilian populat

mr. bashar al assad. >> offering congratulations to syria, to democracy and bashar al assad.them honest," that supposed show of democracy and the new constitution being called a total far as, superficial move to placate bashar al assad's critics, is the from the state department.c superficial move to placate bashar al assad's critics, is the from the state departmene, superficial move to placate bashar al assad's critics, is the from the state department. >> we dismiss it as absolutely cynical. it is -- essentially what he's done here is put a piece of paper that he controls to a vote that he control so that he can try to maintain control. there is no way to evaluate whether the vote that happened represented anything like a referendum, even on the ridiculous proposal he put forward when the guns and the tanks and the artillery are now -- are still firing into homs and cities all over the country. so how could you possibly have any kind of democratic process in conditions like that. >> in an interview with cbs news, secretary of state hillary clinton urged assad supporters to

homs comes after russia and china vetoed a resolution that backed an arab plan calling for assad to step down. >> mr. president, the united states is disgusted that a couple members of this council continue to prevent us from fulfilling our sole purpose here, addressing an ever deepening crisis in syria. >>> by removing the diplomats from syria, the united states is signaling it no longer wants to engage with assad's regime. president obama is holding out hope for a negotiated settlement but remains steadfast that assad must go. that sentiment was echoed monday by britain's foreign secretary of state. >> this is a doomed regime as well as a murdering regime. there's no way it can recover its credibility internationally or with its own people. >>> there's no plans to try to topple the regime, leaving little protection for the opposition fighters from the government's forces. >>> russia's foreign minister is scheduled to visit damascus today. he says russia is pressing assad's government. to implement democratic reform. >> now to politics and a change of course for the obama campaign. the campaign is

mr. sergei lavrov has been meetings. 's president bashar al-assad in the moscow -- in damascus. it comes as france and italy because their ambassadors the same day britain did the same in the united states closed its embassy in damascus. steering state television had shown crowd on the streets to welcome the russian foreign minister. that is all for this part. stay with the bbc world news plenty more to come. >> make sense of international news -- at bbc.com/news. >> funding for this presentation is made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, newman's own foundation, and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles. presented by kcet los angeles.

homs comes after russia and china vetoed a resolution that backed an arab plan calling for assad to step down. >> mr. president, the united states is does gusted that a couple members of this council continue to prevent us from fulfilling our sole purpose. >>> by removing the diplomats from syria, the united states is signaling it no longer wants to engage with assad's reseem. president obama remains steadfast that assad must go. that sentiment was echoed monday by britain's foreign secretary of state. >> there is no way it can recover if credibility or internationally. >>> there's no plans to try to topple the regime, leaving little protection for the opposition fighters from the government forces. >>> russia's foreign minister is scheduled to visit damascus today. he says russia is pressing assad's government. >>> now to politics. a challenge of course if president obama's campaign. it's asking its fund-raisers to support. meanwhile republican voters have three presidential contests today. susan mcginnis is in washington with more on that. >>> good morning, betty. mitt romney is hoping to further