20/09/2013 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today with me, Zainab Badawi. Syria hands over

arsenal to international inspectors. me, Zainab Badawi. Syria hands over

But is it revealing everything? me, Zainab Badawi. Syria hands over

the northern town of Azaz. Has the comes as competing rebel groups

the northern town of Azaz. Has the Sure like tried to overcome deep

the northern town of Azaz. Has the historic poll after the Civil War.

coalition on the cards for Angela -- Sri Lanka. Also, is another grand

coalition on the cards for Angela And New Zealand on the verge of

Hello and welcome. Syria has taken the first step in complying with

international demands for it to the first step in complying with

weapons, so they can eventually the first step in complying with

destroyed. Of course, there is a long way to go before it can be

established if Syria is acting in good faith and in a transparent

manner. The Organisation for the based in the Hague, have received

what they're calling "an initial declaration" from Syria of its

government is believed to have declaration" from Syria of its

tonnes of toxic substances. Richard UN inspectors collected samples

tonnes of toxic substances. Richard the site of the chemical weapons

attack in Damascus last month. They included the nerve agent sarin had

been used. Their analysis of the trajectory of the rockets fired

been used. Their analysis of the government was responsible. Although

they still deny this, the Syrian authorities have now started handing

details of their chemical weapons community. So it can be removed

details of their chemical weapons destroyed. Even if this does happen,

Syria will still be awash with conventional weapons. More than

Syria will still be awash with years of fighting has left much

Syria will still be awash with estimated more than 120,000 people

have died, many others have been seriously injured. Now the Deputy

Prime Minister of Syria has admitted the regime and rebels have fought

themselves to a stalemate and has indicated there could be a call

themselves to a stalemate and has a cease-fire. In an interview with

the Guardian newspaper, he said neither the armed opposition or

the Guardian newspaper, he said regime is capable of defeating the

other side and he stressed that regime is capable of defeating the

regime which change, saying that nobody feared that the regime in its

hassling government forces may get more help from the West. In the

hassling government forces may get of weapons supplies aimed at tilting

the balance in their favour. But casualties and that is precisely

what Syria can no longer cope with clinics and hospitals have been

what Syria can no longer cope with damaged. Medical staff have been

an interview with the Guardian newspaper, the Deputy Prime Minister

of Syria has said that neither side is winning and that the struggle for

This comes as reports are being is winning and that the struggle for

heard that jihadist fighters from a group known as Isis are battling

with the main rebel force, the Free Syria Army. With me is the president

of the Quilliam Foundation, he fighters. Thank you for joining

of the Quilliam Foundation, he On this issue of Isis, which stands

for the Islamic state for Iraq and Syria. Who are they exactly? Be

for the Islamic state for Iraq and to be Al-Qaeda from a chain of

command perspective. -- be used to be Al-Qaeda from a chain of

be. There is a lot of questions about what part of Al-Qaeda they

belong to. But they are in the creation of Al-Qaeda. And their

objective is what? They believe creation of Al-Qaeda. And their

are going to re-establish their creation of Al-Qaeda. And their

ways. It is important that this creation of Al-Qaeda. And their

established in Syria? They think what is going on in Syria is kind of

like signs of a prophecy, so they interpretation of some verses of

Koran and they think this is what is happening now. How many fighters are

there under Isis? Well, there are thousands in terms of numbers. Up to

significant presence in Iraq as well. It is still an ongoing process

of recruitment because a lot of people, they had a dispute about

leadership, especially the foreign fighters. Most of them, 70% or

leadership, especially the foreign numbers are still increasing. A

leadership, especially the foreign of these fighters in are not Syrian

then? No. The vast majority are communications with any of the

leaders of Isis? It is part of our work. We have to create some sort

leaders of Isis? It is part of our channels to give us access. It is

leaders of Isis? It is part of our know about them? Have they made

leaders of Isis? It is part of our this is the most, I believe, savage

of them just killing many people. this is the most, I believe, savage

Everybody. What happens now? How does this fit in with the Free

Syrian Army? They are saying that, we cannot fight Assad forces on

Syrian Army? They are saying that, one hand and also on the other hand

fight these jihadist? I don't think it is true. I heard that but the

reality on the ground, I don't think there is any way that the Free

Syrian Army, especially now, can Islamic state in Iraq in certain

places because of the relation between, there is that the middle

level. But with the state itself, I don't think they can work together.

jihadists, you are talking about? I am talking about the Islamic state

in Iraq. The Free Syrian Army, they think they should not exist. They

already engage with them and I do not believe they are going to reach

any sort of agreement in peace. Sooner or later they have to go

against each other, head to head, without any doubt. That will add

another challenging layer to peace in Syria. Thank you for talking

another challenging layer to peace us. Now let's look at some of the

day's other news. Two separate attacks on military bases in Yemen

least 30 soldiers died in a car bombing. Another ten were killed

military headquarters in the town of Mayfaa. Hassan Rouhani will meet the

French president on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York

next week. The announcement comes amid speculation that Mr Rowhani

might also meet the US president, marking a major thaw in relations

Greenpeace has God on the Russian government to release one of its

ships after armed forces stormed government to release one of its

in the Arctic. The activists say their ship was in international

waters, Russia said it was violating an exclusion zone around an oil

waters, Russia said it was violating reports, reconciliation is still

Celebrations for what the Sri Lankan government calls a new era. In what

used to be the rebel capital, it is staging a great wedding for fighters

who have come over to its side. staging a great wedding for fighters

are happier now, we spend 18 months changed ourselves. We started a

are happier now, we spend 18 months New development, two, with the

government spending huge sums to provide the economy in the North,

but there are priced the Tamil people face is an increased military

presence. There is a sense of fear here. We have been speaking to

people and soldiers have shown up, there is a police car nearby and now

no-one wants to speak to us. A rare voice speaking out is this woman,

who admits that her son in law was a cat max three rebel but said the

army arrested the whole family four TRANSLATION: They were just five and

three years old when they were taken. I have to believe they are

still alive, that is what keeps taken. I have to believe they are

going. Otherwise, I would kill The Tamil Tigers became notorious

for suicide attacks during their 30 year battle for independence. They

finally succumbed to a massive army offensive four years ago. Both sides

were accused of atrocities, the rebels of using Tamil civilians

were accused of atrocities, the indiscriminate shelling, and this

summer's hopes of reconciliation. This is the same area today read the

Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels. -- this is the same

area today where the Sri Lankan Tiger rebels. -- this is the same

defeated the Tamil Tigers. The UN believes up to 40,000 people were

killed in the fighting here, mostly because of army shelling. This time

later, the shellacking government is independent investigation. Hugely

popular in the South, the president feels little pressure to act and is

Commonwealth summit. His military dismissed accusations that they

committed a massacre. TRANSLATION: Not everybody can buy that. Unlike

in other countries, this war was rebels, not against the civilian

elections. The land is united now, says one Tamil, but people's minds

voting in the country's general Germans are just two days away from

voting in the country's general European and world stage - both

politically and economically. Let's cross live now to our correspondent

Katya Adler, in the German capital have affected the whole of Europe

Katya Adler, in the German capital Berlin Wall, between East and West,

and now again the world is watching Germany. You have got political

and now again the world is watching business leaders, international

markets, watching and hoping that the biggest economy in Europe is

going to emerge rejuvenated after the elections and save the still

struggling eurozone. But we are finding on the streets of Germany

that Germans have more domestic issues on their minds, also linked

to the economy, and with a whole list of woes. Despite those, as

to the economy, and with a whole said, Angela Merkel is still needing

Earlier I spoke to a well-known economic journalist here in Germany

and I asked her this secret to Germans call her money, just doing

having lots of time to have visions or spectacular things in mind, she

just works for herself, and that seems to be very familiar with the

German way of living and working. Comforting, not too aggressive,

German way of living and working. is it a Kevin -- a clever play? She

does neutralise opponents, but she does have to work with another party

after these elections, there will be a coalition. It will either be a

grand coalition with the social Democrats or a smaller one with

grand coalition with the social Liberal Democrats. She would like to

coalition, they will have to have a dominated by the social Democrats,

and that would be the best way to solve the problems ahead for the

next two years. At home and abroad? consensus between the political

parties to do the problems together, to solve the things which emerge

abroad together, but on the domestic basis, it had been a different

polls suggesting it might scrape into Parliament. How would that

affect the debate? It will be a wake-up call, even Germans have

but you do not think they are good. European commission and the European

but you do not think they are good. of anti-voters, which is unusual.

but you do not think they are good. people have the impression they

On paper and its reputation abroad, Germany is Europe's biggest economy

and a wealthy export nation, but Germans know that looks can be

deceptive. You have rising poverty, Germans know that looks can be

deceptive. You have rising poverty, Germany boasts very impressive

employment figures, that there is no national minimum wage, so poverty in

poverty as well, 3 million children live in poverty. The cost of living

is skyrocketing. This is squeezing the middle classes, and increasing

numbers of families so they are finding it hard to put food on the

Across Germany, you see more and more food dished vision centres

Across Germany, you see more and this springing up on a voluntary

basis, local shops donate food to people who need it in the area.

basis, local shops donate food to centre is called Body and Soul.

basis, local shops donate food to come here to get food not just for

yourselves but for your by the granddaughter. I have been here

yourselves but for your by the a year, because I lost my job, a

librarian, a scientific librarian. I need the money for my flat, because

the rent is very high, and that need the money for my flat, because

why I am here. What about you? One can be surprised a former librarian

is here, a former student, you have academic degrees. You do not find

work. Do you have friends in the same situation? Yes, it is difficult

to find a job when you do not have experience of. That is why I am

here. Outside Germany, people think it is such a wealthy country, you

are not going to get people like degrees, who need to come in and get

food, this is the wealthiest economy country, but if you study somebody

like me, it is very difficult to get a job. How do you feel about the

future? Hopefully you have a long, healthy life have a few, do you

future? Hopefully you have a long, the elections as a new beginning for

Pollsters say that up to a third of openly. Many people that we chatted

Pollsters say that up to a third of not made up their mind, so the

political parties are scrambling not made up their mind, so the

votes, because the polls show it is such a tight race between a party

coalition, every vote counts. When it comes to the Chancellor, the

polls say Angela Merkel will get the third term, but you outlined some of

country which is seen as the big powerhouse of Europe. Has she got

any big ideas of how to tackle those problems? It is interesting about

Angela Merkel, she is so successful, she has bucked the trend in the

Angela Merkel, she is so successful, We have seen governments fall, but

Angela Merkel, she has been in power for eight years, she is riding so

high. The secret of her success for eight years, she is riding so

that she says absolutely nothing. If you followed the election campaign,

and before, she is a master of appearing on German TV or at rallies

and appearing calm, collected, in control, but actually saying very

little. Many Germans say they like presidential, she does not have

little. Many Germans say they like political opponents, and that is

well received. But what she has political opponents, and that is

post leave, nobody is sure, she political opponents, and that is

not seen as an ideologue, much more of a pragmatist, somebody who goes

science. She is seen as a careful scientist. Do not expect a big bang

after this election, a big change in the course of German politics,

either at home or abroad. Everybody is leaving Angela Merkel will be at

the helm, but we do not know who will be at her side in coalition. We

will be keeping you up-to-date with that. To have a look. We will be

having an election special on Sunday night from 4pm on the BBC News

take pride in, it is their sporting success, and there is expectation

that they will clinch a major title in the world of yachting. They are

just one win away from taking the in the world of yachting. They are

just one win away from taking the past USA. They have, yes, the race

40 miles an hour, but with speed in is starting in the next couple of

40 miles an hour, but with speed in mind. When the wind picks up, they

left off and hydrofoil across the bay. It is like Formula 1 racing on

dangerous, there was an accident in the build-up to this race which

dangerous, there was an accident in to one sailor losing his life. It

depends on the wind. If the wind speed is too high, and if the tide

is too high, the boats will not speed is too high, and if the tide

happened yesterday. It was one race that the Kiwis needed in order to

win. The Americans won the first race, taking it to 8-2. The second

race was cancelled. The wind builds up here. All of the racing is close

watching. The finishing line is up here. All of the racing is close

there, which makes it exciting. up here. All of the racing is close

of these cameras all over them, audio feeds, so you can hear the

sailors as they are deciding their tactics and strategy. You can see

how close the boats get as they tactics and strategy. You can see

around the bay. It is very calm behind you, but it sounds very

exciting. USA are on their home ground, anybody cheering on New

Zealand? Oh, yes, most of the people Zealand colours, half of New Zealand

has come to San Francisco! It has been an amazing Grace. They have

taken a huge lead. The Americans have been clawing it back. The

they started with -2, as a result of being accused of cheating, so they

had a mountain to climb. But it depends on the wind. In the two

races planned today, we are hoping they will both take place. But the

My programme editor is from New Zealand, so I can tell you who is