Syria okays Russian deal to give up chemical arms
Damascus quickly ‘agreed to the Russian initiative’ to stop US aggression, foreign minister says; Arab League backs initiative
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MOSCOW — Syria said Tuesday it has accepted Russia’s proposal to place its chemical weapons under international control for subsequent dismantling.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Tuesday after meeting with Russian parliament speaker that his government quickly “agreed to the Russian initiative.”
Al-Moallem added that Syria did so to “uproot US aggression.”
His statement sounded more definitive than his remarks Monday, when he said that Damascus welcomed Russia’s initiative.
Meanwhile, Russia’s 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.
Obama said Monday the Russian proposal could be “potentially a significant breakthrough,” but he remained skeptical that Syria would follow through.
Also Tuesday, the Arab League chief expressed support for Russia’s proposal to put Syria’s chemical weapons under international control.
Nabil Elaraby told reporters that the Arab League has been always in favor of a “political resolution.” He added, “thank God.”
The Arab league has blamed the Syrian government for the alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. However it didn’t support military action without UN consent.
The Times of Israel Community.