Syria says it accepted Russian weapons proposal
By Associated Press
Sep 10, 2013 6:56 AM CDT
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens to Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz, in Moscow on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. Lavrov and Abdelaziz focused on cooperation in the energy and investment sectors at negotiations in Moscow. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)   (Associated Press)

Syria said Tuesday it has accepted Russia's proposal to place its chemical weapons under international control for subsequent dismantling.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-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 U.S. 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 U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

President Barack Obama said Monday the Russian proposal could be "potentially a significant breakthrough," but he remained skeptical that Syria would follow through.

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