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Syria opponents consider Brahimi ceasefire proposal Lakhdar Brahimi has appealed to Syria's neighbours to help him negotiate a ceasefire.
The Syrian government has indicated that it is interested in exploring a temporary ceasefire proposed by the UN and Arab League envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi.
Spokesman Jihad al-Makdisi told the BBC that the government would listen to any initiative to end the crisis, but that both sides would need to be involved.
The opposition meanwhile said it would reciprocate any government ceasefire.
Mr Brahimi wants a truce over the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha to "allow a political process to develop".
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice, is celebrated by Muslims to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as proof of obedience to God. The four-day holiday starts on 25 October.
'Microscopic step' In an interview with the BBC on Tuesday evening, Mr Makdisi said the government in Damascus would listen to any initiative Mr Brahimi might have to "stabilise the situation in Syria and end the crisis, whether on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, independence day or any other anniversary".
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote The purpose of [a ceasefire] is not calm itself but transition to a political dialogue between Syrians themselves”
End Quote Jihad al-Makdisi Syrian foreign ministry spokesman "If we want the initiative to succeed, it is not enough for only the Syrian [government] side to be bound by it," he said.
"But at the same time, I would say that calming down the situation is in the interest of the Syrian government because we support a political solution and dialogue under this umbrella without preconditions.
"The purpose of [a ceasefire] is not calm itself but transition to a political dialogue between Syrians themselves."
After holding talks with Lebanese Prime Minster Najib Mikati in Beirut on Wednesday morning, Mr Brahimi called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to take the lead in implementing the ceasefire.
He revealed that the Syrian opposition had told him that any ceasefire observed by government forces would be reciprocated.
"We heard from everyone we met in the opposition, and everyone [else] we met that, if the government stops using violence, 'We will respond to this directly'," he said.
"The Syrian people are burying hundreds of people each day, so if they bury fewer people during the days of the holiday, this could be the start of Syria's return from the dangerous situation that it has slipped and is continuing to slip toward."
Mr Brahimi also warned neighbouring countries and regional powers who have been supporting the Syrian rebels: "It is not possible that this crisis will stay inside Syrian borders forever.
"Either it has to be taken care of or it will spread and spill over and consume everything. A truce for Eid al-Adha would be a microscopic step on the road to solving the Syria crisis."
A ceasefire negotiated by his predecessor, Kofi Annan, in April broke down within days and was followed by an escalation in the conflict.
Human rights and opposition activists say more than 30,000 people have been killed since anti-government protests erupted in March 2011.
Syria opponents consider Brahimi ceasefire proposal Lakhdar Brahimi has appealed to Syria's neighbours to help him negotiate a ceasefire.
The Syrian government has indicated that it is interested in exploring a temporary ceasefire proposed by the UN and Arab League envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi.
Spokesman Jihad al-Makdisi told the BBC that the government would listen to any initiative to end the crisis, but that both sides would need to be involved.
The opposition meanwhile said it would reciprocate any government ceasefire.
Mr Brahimi wants a truce over the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha to "allow a political process to develop".
Eid al-Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice, is celebrated by Muslims to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as proof of obedience to God. The four-day holiday starts on 25 October.
'Microscopic step' In an interview with the BBC on Tuesday evening, Mr Makdisi said the government in Damascus would listen to any initiative Mr Brahimi might have to "stabilise the situation in Syria and end the crisis, whether on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, independence day or any other anniversary".
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote The purpose of [a ceasefire] is not calm itself but transition to a political dialogue between Syrians themselves”
End Quote Jihad al-Makdisi Syrian foreign ministry spokesman "If we want the initiative to succeed, it is not enough for only the Syrian [government] side to be bound by it," he said.
"But at the same time, I would say that calming down the situation is in the interest of the Syrian government because we support a political solution and dialogue under this umbrella without preconditions.
"The purpose of [a ceasefire] is not calm itself but transition to a political dialogue between Syrians themselves."
After holding talks with Lebanese Prime Minster Najib Mikati in Beirut on Wednesday morning, Mr Brahimi called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to take the lead in implementing the ceasefire.
He revealed that the Syrian opposition had told him that any ceasefire observed by government forces would be reciprocated.
"We heard from everyone we met in the opposition, and everyone [else] we met that, if the government stops using violence, 'We will respond to this directly'," he said.
"The Syrian people are burying hundreds of people each day, so if they bury fewer people during the days of the holiday, this could be the start of Syria's return from the dangerous situation that it has slipped and is continuing to slip toward."
Mr Brahimi also warned neighbouring countries and regional powers who have been supporting the Syrian rebels: "It is not possible that this crisis will stay inside Syrian borders forever.
"Either it has to be taken care of or it will spread and spill over and consume everything. A truce for Eid al-Adha would be a microscopic step on the road to solving the Syria crisis."
A ceasefire negotiated by his predecessor, Kofi Annan, in April broke down within days and was followed by an escalation in the conflict.
Human rights and opposition activists say more than 30,000 people have been killed since anti-government protests erupted in March 2011.
Pirates kidnap seven crew members off Nigerian coast
Pirates have kidnapped seven crew members during an attack on their ship off the coast of Nigeria.
Six Russians and one Estonian have been abducted from the Liberty 249, operator Bourbon - a French shipping company - confirmed.
Another nine crew members were safe and on their way to the Nigerian port of Onne, a spokeswoman said.
There has been a spate of pirate attacks on cargo ships off the West African coast in recent months.
Bourbon did not disclose the vessel's exact location at the time of the attack on Monday but said an emergency unit had been set up to help the missing sailors.
"The emergency unit has been set up to aim at their rapid liberation under the safest security conditions," the company said in a statement.
The firm has been targeted by pirates in Nigeria before.
In 2010, three French crewmen were kidnapped off a Bourbon-operated ship in an oilfield in the Niger delta, the heart of Africa's biggest oil and gas industry.
The hostages were later released.
The trade in stolen oil has fuelled violence and corruption in the Niger delta.
Although attacks in the region have declined since a 2009 amnesty for militants, piracy is on the rise in parts of West Africa.
In the first six months of this year, the International Maritime Bureau has recorded 17 pirate attacks in Nigerian waters this year - a significant increase on 2011.
Last week, a Greek tanker carrying 32,000 tonnes of petrol went missing with a crew of 24 on its way to the port of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast.
In August, pirates attacked a Greek tanker off the coast of Togo, stealing 3,000 tonnes of fuel.
1054369
Serbian FA denies any racism towards England players
The Serbian FA has denied there was any racism towards the England Under-21 team in Tuesday's Euro 2013 play-off.
And officials also blamed England's Danny Rose for clashes at the end of the game because of "inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar" behaviour.
Earlier Rose, 22, had called for Serbia to be "banned", claiming he had been racially abused during the game.
The Football Association says Uefa must take the "strongest possible action" against anyone found guilty of racism.
“What occurred is inexcusable and not acceptable. We are making a formal complaint to Uefa today”
Alex Horne FA general secretary Connor Wickham scored in the 90th minute as Stuart Pearce's England side qualified for Euro 2013, with the goal sparking a series of scuffles between players and staff on both sides as missiles were thrown onto the field.
Prime Minister David Cameron has led the calls for Uefa to impose "tough sanctions" on racism, while sports minister Hugh Robertson has written to Uefa president Michel Platini alleging "extreme provocation and racism".
The FA reported "a number of incidents of racism" to Uefa after the match, while Rose's account of the abuse aimed at him has been published on the FA's official website.
The Serbian FA says making a connection between the on-pitch scuffles and racism has "absolutely no ground" adding there was a "spirit of fair play on the pitch and in the stands".
The FA rejects that version of the events.
Play media Racist chanting mars England U21 match. This footage may contain offensive language.
FA general secretary Alex Horne said: "Our players and staff were subjected to racial abuse, violence as well as missiles being thrown at them throughout the match.
"What occurred is inexcusable and not acceptable. We are making a formal complaint to Uefa today.
"We call on Uefa to take the strongest possible action against the Serbian FA, their supporters and anyone found guilty of being involved in the numerous instances of violence and abuse."
In a statement on its website on Wednesday, the Serbian FA said it "absolutely refuses and denies that there were any occurrences of racism before and during the match at the stadium in Krusevac".
"Making connection between the seen incident - a fight between members of the two teams - and racism has absolutely no ground and we consider it to be a total malevolence.
"Unfortunately, after the fourth minute of the additional time and the victory goal scored by the guest team, unpleasant scenes were seen on the pitch.
"And while most of the English team players celebrated the score, their player number three, Danny Rose, behaved in inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar manner towards the supporters on the stands at the stadium in Krusevac, and for that he was shown a red card."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19976781
Serbian FA denies any racism towards England players
The Serbian FA has denied there was any racism towards the England Under-21 team in Tuesday's Euro 2013 play-off.
And officials also blamed England's Danny Rose for clashes at the end of the game because of "inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar" behaviour.
Earlier Rose, 22, had called for Serbia to be "banned", claiming he had been racially abused during the game.
The Football Association says Uefa must take the "strongest possible action" against anyone found guilty of racism.
“What occurred is inexcusable and not acceptable. We are making a formal complaint to Uefa today”
Alex Horne FA general secretary Connor Wickham scored in the 90th minute as Stuart Pearce's England side qualified for Euro 2013, with the goal sparking a series of scuffles between players and staff on both sides as missiles were thrown onto the field.
Prime Minister David Cameron has led the calls for Uefa to impose "tough sanctions" on racism, while sports minister Hugh Robertson has written to Uefa president Michel Platini alleging "extreme provocation and racism".
The FA reported "a number of incidents of racism" to Uefa after the match, while Rose's account of the abuse aimed at him has been published on the FA's official website.
The Serbian FA says making a connection between the on-pitch scuffles and racism has "absolutely no ground" adding there was a "spirit of fair play on the pitch and in the stands".
The FA rejects that version of the events.
Play media Racist chanting mars England U21 match. This footage may contain offensive language.
FA general secretary Alex Horne said: "Our players and staff were subjected to racial abuse, violence as well as missiles being thrown at them throughout the match.
"What occurred is inexcusable and not acceptable. We are making a formal complaint to Uefa today.
"We call on Uefa to take the strongest possible action against the Serbian FA, their supporters and anyone found guilty of being involved in the numerous instances of violence and abuse."
In a statement on its website on Wednesday, the Serbian FA said it "absolutely refuses and denies that there were any occurrences of racism before and during the match at the stadium in Krusevac".
"Making connection between the seen incident - a fight between members of the two teams - and racism has absolutely no ground and we consider it to be a total malevolence.
"Unfortunately, after the fourth minute of the additional time and the victory goal scored by the guest team, unpleasant scenes were seen on the pitch.
"And while most of the English team players celebrated the score, their player number three, Danny Rose, behaved in inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar manner towards the supporters on the stands at the stadium in Krusevac, and for that he was shown a red card."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19976781
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