Russia says West has no proof for Syria weapons claims

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplays West's allegations

The West has been unable to produce any evidence to back claims that the Syrian government used chemical weapons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today, adding that threats of military action against Damascus went against G8 agreements.

"They (the West) have not been able to come up with any proof but are saying at the same time that the red line has been crossed and there can be no delay," Lavrov said, adding that calls for military action "contradicted" agreements from the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.