Russia says that atmosphere around Syria is very alarming

Comments by Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov

• Channels of communications with the US are being used
• "God forbid there will be a Libya-style adventure in Syria"
• Ultimatums and threats do not help dialogue in Syria

No new developments still so far, as Russia tries to tone down the heightened rhetoric from the US and its allies.

The silence throughout the day has also helped feed into equities, as European stocks are now posting decent gains and US equity futures are trading at the day's highs.