Welcome to hardtalk, im stephen sackur. After six years of terrible bloodshed, could 2017 dramatically shift the dynamic of the syria conflict . Change is in the air. Aleppo has fallen to the assad regime and a Ceasefire Deal brokered by russia and turkey is just about folding. Moscows dominant role in the diplomatic endgame is now undisputed with ankara playing a pivotal role as well. My guest is Bassma Kodmani of the Negotiating Team of the syrian opposition. Is it time for the moderate rebels to accept their de facto defeat . Bassma kodmani in paris, welcome to hardtalk. Hello, stephen, thank you. Its a pleasure to have you on the programme. Let me start with a question that comes directly from the new year. Do you see 2017 bringing with it better prospects for an end to the conflict in syria then we have seen at any time in the previous, almost, six years . I do, carefully optimistic, but i do. I do hope and we are working towards making 2017 the end of the disaster of the tragedy
The government is expected to publish the Brexit Strategy in an hours time. The white paper will set out its priorities for negotiations with the European Union after Parliament Takes the First Step Towards britain leaving the union, as mps vote overwhelmingly in favour of triggering article 50. Last night mps voted 498 to 114 in favour of approving legislation which gives the Prime Minister the power to start negotiations with european leaders. 47 labour mps, one in five, voted against the bill despite a three line whip imposed by the party leader, Jeremy Corbyn. And what will happen next . As mentioned, at around noon, Brexit Secretary david davis will announce the governments white paper on exiting the eu. This will allow parliament to send the bill on Forfurther Amending and scrutiny, before it becomes law. Our assistant Political Editor, norman smith, is at westminster with the latest. What are we going to find out . Probably very little. I think most people expect it to simply fl
Welcome to bbc news. The Prime Minister has told the people of gibraltar that the uk would never allow it to slip from british control against their will. In a Telephone Call aimed at reassuring the territory about its future after brexit, theresa may said britain was steadfast in its commitment. The eus Negotiation Guidelines have suggested that spain, which claims sovereignty over gibraltar, could have a say in whether a Future Trade Deal with the uk will apply to it. Heres our Political Correspondent iain watson. Gibraltar has been british for almost 300 years, nearly as long as the uk has existed. And nearly all of its residents want it to remain that way. They are concerned that after brexit, spain could have a greater say over their life. But, evoking the falklands conflict, a former Conservative Minister said this could be taken to task. Another woman Prime Minister sent a task force halfway across the world to protect another small group of british people against another Spanis
Welcome to bbc news. The Prime Minister has told the people of gibraltar that the uk would never allow it to slip from british control against their will. In a Telephone Call aimed at reassuring the territory about its future after brexit, theresa may said britain was steadfast in its commitment. The eus Negotiation Guidelines have suggested that spain, which claims sovereignty over gibraltar, could have a say in whether a Future Trade Deal with the uk will apply to it. Heres our Political Correspondent iain watson. Gibraltar has been british for almost 300 years, nearly as long as the uk has existed. And nearly all of its residents want it to remain that way. They are concerned that after brexit, spain could have a greater say over their life. But, evoking the falklands conflict, a former Conservative Minister said this could be taken to task. Another woman Prime Minister sent a task force halfway across the world to protect another small group of british people against another Spanis
Welcome to bbc news. The Prime Minister has told the people of gibraltar that the uk would never allow it to slip from british control against their will. In a Telephone Call aimed at reassuring the territory about its future after brexit, theresa may said britain was steadfast in its commitment. The eus Negotiation Guidelines have suggested that spain, which claims sovereignty over gibraltar, could have a say in whether a Future Trade Deal with the uk will apply to it. Heres our Political Correspondent iain watson. Gibraltar has been british for almost 300 years, nearly as long as the uk has existed. And nearly all of its residents want it to remain that way. They are concerned that after brexit, spain could have a greater say over their life. But, evoking the falklands conflict, a former Conservative Minister said this could be taken to task. Another woman Prime Minister sent a task force halfway across the world to protect another small group of british people against another Spanis