Russia has warned Western powers against acting unilaterally on Syria amid growing fears over Syria's weapons capability.
The comments, by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, follow remarks by US President Barack Obama in which he indicated that the US would not hold back from responding if Syria used chemical weapons against rebel forces.
Mr Lavrov, speaking during a meeting with a Chinese envoy, said that diplomatic co - operation should be based on "the need strictly to adhere to the norms of international law and the principles contained in the UN Charter".
He said it would be wrong to "allow their violation" and for the US or other Western governments to act unilaterally against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
