Syria: Russia Ships 'Bound For Mediterranean'

Russia is to send an anti-submarine ship and a missile cruiser to the Mediterranean, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

An armed forces source reportedly said the planned deployment was in response to the "well-known situation" - a clear reference to the conflict in Syria.

The navy has denied the deployment is linked to events in Syria, saying it is part of a planned rotation of its ships in the Mediterranean.

Russia is strongly against any military intervention in Syria, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believing it would seriously destabilise the region.

The country has started to pull its citizens out of Syria as the likelihood of military action increases.

The reports come after US President Barack Obama said any strike would be to "send a shot across the bow" to deter future chemical weapons attacks.

He said the US had concluded that the Syrian government carried out the large-scale chemical weapons attack against civilians last week.

President Obama said the US had examined evidence and did not believe the rebels possessed chemical weapons or the means to deliver them.

But he added that the US had not yet made a firm decision about how to respond.

United Nations weapons inspectors set out on Thursday morning for the Damascus suburbs in a third day of investigations.

Last week's alleged chemical attack is claimed to have killed 1,300 pepole.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has pleaded for all sides to hold off on any military strikes.

He said his inspection team would soon finish its investigation, leaving Syria on Friday and report their findings to him the following day.

Britain's draft resolution on authorising military force failed to win the approval of the UN Security Council yesterday as Russia reiterated its objections.

Russia, along with China, has blocked past attempts to sanction the Assad government.

However, the Obama administration has said it could take action even without the backing of allies or the United Nations.

Britain's involvement in any strike will be debated today by politicians in the House of Commons.