Iran supports proposal on Syria chemical weapons: Iranian foreign ministry

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has welcomed the Russian proposal.


Reuters September 10, 2013
File photo of a free Syrian Army fighter. PHOTO: REUTERS

DUBAI: Iran supports Russia's offer to work with Syria to put its chemical weapons under international control, the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

US President Barack Obama said on Monday he saw a possible breakthrough in the crisis with Syria after Moscow proposed that its ally hand over chemical weapons for destruction, offering a path that averts US military strikes.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has welcomed the Russian proposal.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran favors that initiative and we find this to be within the framework of putting a halt to militarism in the region," foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham told a news conference carried live on state television.

Iran has staunchly supported Assad against rebels seeking to oust him, and has said the rebels, which it calls "terrorists," were responsible for the chemical attack.

Afkham said any action on chemical weapons should ensure they are not available to the rebels.

"There are concerns regarding possession of an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists," Afkham said. "We think that any kind of initiative should actually cover terrorists."

COMMENTS (2)

antanu | 10 years ago | Reply

@p r shama: almost every country possess chemical weapons....it does not prove that they do use it.and...oh...US can use nuclear weapons on japan rendering its generations effected...YOUR DOU LE SPEAK IS APALLING FRIEND.

p r shama | 10 years ago | Reply

It means that the Assad regime is in possession of the chemical weapon and the same is used by them killing more than 1400 persons including children. ( will he be punished for the use of chemical weapon). Ok it is a good move by Assad accepting the Russian proposal that the entire stock of chemical weapons be destroyed under the UN supervision . But the big question remains unanswered if there will be a political solution of the Syria's present crisis. will there be peace in Syria ? I am afraid No. Proposal of destruction of chemical weapon is a strategic move to avert any military strike on Syria and avoiding any excuse for direct interference in the ongoing crisis where the interests of Iran, Russia, & China are in conflict with that of Saudi Arabia, Turkey,& USA. Appears that there will be a status quo( killing by regime and the rebels cum proxies of KSA will continue).. One of the worst crisis and suffering of the humanity involving death of more than one hundred thousands and displacement of more than one million people out of own country.

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