BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia said on Thursday that time was running out to conclude a missile defense deal with NATO, as the alliance insisted it would press ahead with a project it says is aimed at countering threats from states such as Iran.

Moscow is seeking legal guarantees that NATO’s planned missile defense system is not aimed at limiting Russia’s strategic nuclear capability, and wants joint control of how the system is used. Moscow has said it will take military counter-measures if necessary.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia warned on Thursday time was running out to conclude a missile defense deal with NATO after the two failed again to bridge differences on a project the alliance says is aimed at countering threats from states like Iran.

“We do not agree yet,” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters after talks in Brussels between NATO foreign ministers and their Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) – The United States has called for a new regime of tolerance and freedom in Syria as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad battled fighters infiltrating the country to join the growing rebel army trying to overthrow him.

Speaking after meeting members of the opposition Syrian National Council in Geneva, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Syrians must not only remove Assad but also advance towards the rule of law.

GENEVA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the Syrian opposition on Tuesday to build a society based on rule of law and respect for minority rights so that Syria is no longer subject to “the whims of a dictator.”

Clinton delivered the message as she met six members of the Syrian National Council (SNC), an exile group seeking to pave the way to a democratic transition to end the 41-year rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his late father.

GENEVA (Reuters) – The United States called on Tuesday for a new regime of tolerance and freedom in Syria as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad battled fighters infiltrating the country to join the growing rebel army trying to overthrow him.

Speaking after meeting members of the opposition Syrian National Council in Geneva, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Syrians must not only remove Assad but also advance towards the rule of law.

GENEVA (Reuters) – Syria’s opposition needs to reassure members of minority communities that they will be protected if President Bashar al-Assad is toppled, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday.

“A democratic transition includes more than removing the Assad regime. It means setting Syria on the path of the rule of law and protecting the universal rights of all citizens regardless of sect or ethnicity or gender,” Clinton said as she began a meeting with Syrian opposition members in Geneva.

GENEVA (Reuters) – Syria’s opposition needs to reassure members of minority communities that they will be protected if President Bashar al-Assad is toppled, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday.

“A democratic transition includes more than removing the Assad regime. It means setting Syria on the path of the rule of law and protecting the universal rights of all citizens regardless of sect or ethnicity or gender,” Clinton said as she began a meeting with Syrian opposition members in Geneva.

VILNIUS (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested on Tuesday that Russia’s elections were neither free nor fair, and Germany urged Moscow to make democratic improvements.

For a second day running, Clinton cited “serious concerns” about the Sunday election in which Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s parliamentary majority was slashed. Observers said the vote was marred by ballot-stuffing and other irregularities.

VILNIUS (Reuters) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested Russia’s elections were neither free nor fair as she made a broad plea on Tuesday for digital freedoms at a European security gathering.

Speaking to ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, she accused Belarus of “unremitting persecution” of its opposition and suggested Ukraine prosecuted former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko for political reasons.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate unanimously approved tougher sanctions against Iran on Thursday, voting to penalize foreign financial institutions that do business with Iran’s central bank, the main conduit for its oil revenues.

The Senate acted despite warnings from Obama administration officials who said threatening U.S. allies might not be the best way to get their cooperation in action against Iran.