PUTIN: SYRIA CHEMICAL ARMS HANDOVER WILL WORK ONLY IF US CANCELS STRIKE

Moscow, 6 Zul-qaadah 1434/11 September 2013 (MINA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Syria’s chemical weapons handover will only work if the US renounce the use of force against Syrian regime.

Putin, evaluating the latest developments, said that the matter of handing Syria’s chemical weapons under international surveillance was a subject of discussion by experts and politicians, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Of course, all of this will only mean anything if the United States and other nations supporting it tell us that they’re giving up their plan to use force against Syria,” Puitn said.

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“You can’t really ask Syria, or any other country, to disarm unilaterally while military action against it is being contemplated.”

Putin’s words followed the statement of Syrian government which said it would agree to place its chemical weapons arsenal under international control.

Various parties welcomed the offer of the Russian

Monday, US President Barack Obama has said he will consider a “potentially positive” Russian offer for Syria to give up its chemical weapons.

Secretery of State John Kerry saying, in response to a reporter’s question, that there would be no need for military action if President Bashar al-Assad handed over his chemical weapons.

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Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, said he too welcomed Russia’s proposals and called for the creation of UN-supervised zones in Syria where chemical weapons could be destroyed.

Tuesday, Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi voiced support for the Russian proposal, reiterating the pan-Arab body’s support for a political solution to the ongoing conflict.

“The Arab League will signal its support for the Russian proposal in an official statement,” al-Arabi said.

The Arab League will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss a Russian proposal for dealing with alleged Syrian chemical-weapons stockpiles.

“The meeting, to be chaired by Libya, will tackle the latest developments in Syria, including a Russian proposal to place Syrian chemical weapons under international control,” Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmed bin Heli. (T/P09/E1).

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).