'Threat of force remains,' Kerry warns Syria

JERUSALEM (AP):

UNITED States Secretary of State John Kerry warns Syria that the 'threat of force remains' if a chemical weapons deal is not followed.

A day after sealing a deal with Russia on securing Syria's chemical-weapons stockpiles, Kerry met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the agreement.

Netanyahu says Israel hopes the plan will lead to the destruction of Syria's chemical-weapons arsenal.

During Kerry's brief stopover yesterday in Jerusalem, the two men discussed developments in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Kerry met last week in London with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and had wanted to see both men before the annual United Nation General Assembly session later this month.

Kerry travels next to Paris for discussions about Syria today with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and British Foreign Secretary William Hague. Kerry will also see the Saudi foreign minister.