Western powers are preparing a tough response in case Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s regime deploys chemical or biological weapons, France’s foreign minister said.

Spain’s ailing banks are unlikely to need all of the €100bn which was made available by the country’s euro partners, Spanish economy minister Luis de Guindos said.

The eurozone debt crisis has flared dangerously once again.

Spain’s new conservative prime minister has been sworn in and appointed his Cabinet, including ministers charged with lifting the country out of its severe economic crisis.