Putin says he and Obama still at odds on Syria, blames attack on rebels

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he and U.S. President Barack Obama stuck to their positions over Syria but listened to each other during a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a G20 summit on Friday and are looking for ways forward. Putin blamed an alleged chemical attack on opponents of the Syrian government, saying it was a provocation, and suggested that a punitive U.S. military strike on the Middle Eastern nation would harm the global economy and stifle growth. (Reporting by Alexei Anishchuk; Writing by Steve Gutterman)