Tillerson: Russia 'failure allowed Syria chemical attack'

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has criticised Russia, saying it had failed to prevent Syria from carrying out a chemical attack on a rebel-held town.  

Russia had agreed to ensure Syria's chemical weapon stockpiles were destroyed - and its failure to do this enabled the attack. G7 foreign ministers are preparing to meet in Italy on the issue today.  

Talks will focus on how to increase pressure on Russia to distance itself from Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad. 

Tomorrow, Mr Tillerson will continue from the G7 to Moscow, where he will meet his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.  

Syria has denied using any chemical agents, and Russia says the US gave no evidence Syria has chemical weapons.

BBC