(VOVworld) – Syria has agreed to give the control of its chemical weapons stockpiles to the international community. In an interview on Thursday with Russia’s Rossiya 24 television, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Syria is transferring its chemical weapons to international control because of Russia in stead of the US’ threats. He stressed that any kind of a war against Syria would destroy the entire region and lead to decades of instability.
Under a 4-step plan proposed by Russia, Syria will join the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The second stage will require Syria to report on what kinds of chemical weapons it has and where they are located. Then, Syria will allow OPCW inspectors to work at the site and finally, will cooperate with them in how to destroy its chemical weapons.
Also on Thursday, United Nations Spokesman Farhan Haq said the UN had received Syria’s proposal to join the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention. It will take Syria a few days to become a full member of the convention which prohibits the production and storage of chemical weapons.
In related news, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday for talks on disposing Syria’s chemical weapons.
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| US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets reporters before their talks in Geneva. (Photo: Reuters) |
Kerry told reporters prior to the meeting that Washington will still consider using force against Syria if diplomatic efforts are in vain. Meanwhile, Lavrov said Russia wants the US to stop its military threats, showing his belief that Washington is aware that it should follow a peaceful path to settle the Syrian crisis.