Russia 'shuns Syria intervention'

Russia will continue to oppose attempts by the UN Security Council to sanction military intervention in Syria, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

Mr Lavrov also repeated calls for an international conference to implement the peace plan drawn up by UN special envoy Kofi Annan.

He said Moscow would support the departure of President Bashar al-Assad, but only if Syrians agreed to it.

Activists said at least 40 people were killed across Syria on Saturday.

Tom Esslemont reports.