Russia readies plan for Syria’s chemical weapons

Russia said it’s working on the details of its proposal for Syria to place its chemical weapons under international control for subsequent dismantling.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Russia is now working with Syria to prepare a detailed plan of action, which will be presented shortly.

Lavrov said that Russia will then be ready to finalize the plan together with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Syria on Monday quickly welcomed Russia’s initiative, which Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with President Barack Obama at the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in St. Petersburg last week. Obama said Monday the proposal could be “potentially a significant breakthrough,” but he remained skeptical that Syria would follow through.

The Associated Press