The Russian and US foreign ministers have begun a crucial meeting in Geneva on a plan to place Syria's chemical weapons under international control.

Sergei Lavrov and John Kerry said they hoped the plan could avoid military action against Syria.

The UN has confirmed it has received documents from Syria on joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, a key step in the Russian plan.

Syria's president said it would submit arms data one month after signing.

The US accuses the Syrian government of killing hundreds in a chemical attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August. The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels.

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