Forty American faith leaders have signed a letter to all members of Congress opposing US-led military action against Syria.

Both the United Nations and Russia are independently involved in plans to push the Syrian regime to put chemical weapons under international control.

German intelligence sources suggest President Assad did not authorise the use of chemical weapons against opponents, and may even have sought to block them.

Protesters against the arms trade have partially blockaded a UK military fair which is hosting the armers of Syria's Assad regime, among others known for gross violations of human rights.