Merkel wants urgent UN Security Council meeting on Syria

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday the UN Security Council should meet urgently to reach a joint position on Syria, following news that the United States is ready to arm the rebels fighting Bashar Assad and could establish a no-fly zone.

The White House said the Syrian government had crossed a "red line" by using nerve gas and that it would now arm fighters trying to overthrow him. Two Western diplomats said Washington was mulling a no-fly zone close to Syria's border with Jordan. (Reuters)