FRANCE WELCOMES US-RUSSIA DEAL ON SYRIA

   French President Francois Hollande has described the U S- Russia deal on Syria's chemical weapons as an " important step" towards the much bigger goal of a political solution to the crisis. He said " the military option must remain otherwise there will be no pressure.
   On Monday, Mr Hollande and his Foreign Minister Laurent Fablus will meet U S Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary William Hague to discuss the working of the new U N security council draft resolution.
   Mr Hollande said a vote on the new U N security council resolution on Syria could be agreed by the end of the week.