[03:08.38]In an interview with Turkish media, Mr Assad gave his sharpest warning yet about the role of neighbouring countries in the conflict,
[03:15.74]saying Syria was surrounded by countries that were, as he put it, helping terrorists.
[03:20.38]There’s been no breakthrough over Iran’s nuclear programme on the first day of the latest talks between the world powers and the Iranian authorities.
[03:28.66]Negotiators from Iran said they had outlined key and clear proposals at the meeting in Kazakhstan.
[03:34.70]James Reynold reports from Almaty.
[03:37.02]The respective chief negotiators Catherine Ashton and Saeed Jalili kept their distance in the opening photocall
[03:43.50]and it would appear in the subsequent negotiations as well.
[03:47.55]The world powers wanted Iran to respond to a proposal the group made in February.
[03:52.50]Instead, Iran decided to present its own set of suggestions.
[03:57.05]There appears to be little overlap between the respective proposals.
[04:00.96]“We remain a long way apart on the substance,” said one Western diplomat at the talks.
[04:06.37]“Iran insists that it has no military ambitions.
[04:09.89]Because of this it says it wants sanctions to be lifted.”
[04:13.30]Mexico has unveiled a controversial memorial to the tens of thousands of people killed during the country’s brutal drug war.