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Syria crisis: Assad confirms chemical weapons plan Syria crisis: Assad sets out chemicals plan timeline
(about 1 hour later)
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has appeared on Russian TV to confirm that his country's chemical weapons will be placed under international control. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has given the first indication of a timeline for placing its chemical weapons under international control.
His comments, to Rossiya 24, came as US and Russian foreign ministers prepared to meet in Geneva to discuss the plan, proposed by Russia earlier this week. He told Russian TV that Syria would apply to join a UN chemicals convention "in the next few days" and submit arms data a month after signing.
Mr Assad insisted that the move was a result of the Russian initiative and not the threat of US military action. US and Russian foreign ministers are preparing to meet in Geneva to discuss the plan, proposed by Moscow this week.
The US accuses the Syrian regime of killing hundreds in a chemical attack.The US accuses the Syrian regime of killing hundreds in a chemical attack.
The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels for the attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August.The government denies the allegation, blaming rebels for the attack in the Ghouta area of the capital, Damascus, on 21 August.
'Chance for peace''Chance for peace'
Russia announced its proposal for dealing with the escalating chemical weapons crisis on Monday, as the US Congress was preparing to vote on whether to back President Barack Obama's moves towards military action against Syria.Russia announced its proposal for dealing with the escalating chemical weapons crisis on Monday, as the US Congress was preparing to vote on whether to back President Barack Obama's moves towards military action against Syria.
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov outlined three main phases of the proposal:
In his interview, which has not yet been broadcast in full, Mr Assad told state-run Rossiya 24: "Syria is placing its chemical weapons under international control because of Russia. The US threats did not influence the decision."In his interview, which has not yet been broadcast in full, Mr Assad told state-run Rossiya 24: "Syria is placing its chemical weapons under international control because of Russia. The US threats did not influence the decision."
He confirmed that Syria would send relevant documents to the UN "in the next few days" as part of the process of signing the chemical weapons convention. He confirmed that Syria would send relevant documents to the UN "in the next few days" as part of the process of signing the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Mr Assad said Syria would then submit information on its chemical weapons one month after signing.Mr Assad said Syria would then submit information on its chemical weapons one month after signing.
He also said that Russia's proposal was "not unilateral", adding: "Syria will accept it if America stops military threats and if other countries supplying the rebels with chemical weapons also abide by the agreement."He also said that Russia's proposal was "not unilateral", adding: "Syria will accept it if America stops military threats and if other countries supplying the rebels with chemical weapons also abide by the agreement."
He said only Russia could make the agreement happen as "Syria has neither contacts with, nor trust in, America".He said only Russia could make the agreement happen as "Syria has neither contacts with, nor trust in, America".
Mr Lavrov - who is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva on Thursday to discuss the plan - said during a visit to Kazakhstan: "I am sure that there is a chance for peace in Syria. We cannot let it slip away." Earlier on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov outlined three main phases of the proposal:
Mr Lavrov - who is to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva soon - said during a visit to Kazakhstan: "I am sure that there is a chance for peace in Syria. We cannot let it slip away."
He did not mention the destruction of the weapons, which was part of Moscow's original proposal but is thought to be a sticking point in negotiations with Damascus.He did not mention the destruction of the weapons, which was part of Moscow's original proposal but is thought to be a sticking point in negotiations with Damascus.
Before meeting Mr Lavrov, Mr Kerry is holding talks with UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi. Before meeting Mr Lavrov, Mr Kerry has been holding talks with UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi.
Diplomatic coupDiplomatic coup
President Obama said on Thursday that he was "hopeful" of a positive outcome to the Kerry-Lavrov talks.President Obama said on Thursday that he was "hopeful" of a positive outcome to the Kerry-Lavrov talks.
US officials had earlier described Russia's plan as "doable but difficult".US officials had earlier described Russia's plan as "doable but difficult".
Officials travelling with Mr Kerry said they want a rapid agreement with the Russians on principles for the process, including a demand for Syria to give a quick, complete and public declaration of its stockpile.Officials travelling with Mr Kerry said they want a rapid agreement with the Russians on principles for the process, including a demand for Syria to give a quick, complete and public declaration of its stockpile.
The US postponed plans to launch military strikes on Syria after Russia proposed the disarmament.The US postponed plans to launch military strikes on Syria after Russia proposed the disarmament.
Russian media have hailed the move as a diplomatic coup.Russian media have hailed the move as a diplomatic coup.
President Vladimir Putin affirmed this view by writing an opinion piece in the New York Times lambasting US policy, saying strikes would lead to an upsurge in terrorism.President Vladimir Putin affirmed this view by writing an opinion piece in the New York Times lambasting US policy, saying strikes would lead to an upsurge in terrorism.
But state department officials have been stressing the exploratory nature of the talks.But state department officials have been stressing the exploratory nature of the talks.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Russian plan "must be treated with great caution", and experts have pointed out the difficulty of conducting such a process in a war zone.UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Russian plan "must be treated with great caution", and experts have pointed out the difficulty of conducting such a process in a war zone.
The main Syrian armed rebel group has already refused to co-operate.The main Syrian armed rebel group has already refused to co-operate.
Gen Salim Idriss of the Free Syrian Army said he categorically rejected the plan, and insisted that the most important thing was to punish the perpetrators of chemical attacks.Gen Salim Idriss of the Free Syrian Army said he categorically rejected the plan, and insisted that the most important thing was to punish the perpetrators of chemical attacks.
If the talks in Geneva are successful, the US hopes the disarmament process will be agreed in a UN Security Council resolution.If the talks in Geneva are successful, the US hopes the disarmament process will be agreed in a UN Security Council resolution.
However, Russia regards as unacceptable any resolution backed by military force, or a resolution that blames the Syrian government for chemical attacks.However, Russia regards as unacceptable any resolution backed by military force, or a resolution that blames the Syrian government for chemical attacks.
Moscow has already objected to a draft resolution that would be enforced by Chapter VII of the UN charter, which would in effect sanction the use of force if Syria failed in its obligations.Moscow has already objected to a draft resolution that would be enforced by Chapter VII of the UN charter, which would in effect sanction the use of force if Syria failed in its obligations.
Russia, supported by China, has blocked three previous draft resolutions condemning the Assad government.Russia, supported by China, has blocked three previous draft resolutions condemning the Assad government.
More than 100,000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011.More than 100,000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011.