Al-Moallem: Syria Ready To Sign Chemical Weapons Convention

Local Editor

Syria said it would sign the Chemical Weapons Convention, following Russia's proposal that it hands over its chemical weapons to international supervisors.

Damascus pledged to open its storage sites and provide full disclosure of its stocks immediately.
"We fully support Russia's initiative concerning chemical weapons in Syria, and we are ready to cooperate. As a part of the plan, we intend to join the Chemical Weapons Convention," Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said in an interview with al-Maydeen TV.

He further expressed his country's readiness to fulfill its obligations in compliance with this treaty, including through the provision of information about chemical weapons. "We will open our storage sites, and cease production. We are ready to open these facilities to Russia, other countries and the United Nations."
He added: "We intend to give up chemical weapons altogether."

The statement comes less than 24 hours after Moscow called for Damascus to hand over control over its chemical arsenal to the international community.
As part of that plan, Syria would have to become a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Meanwhile, the Zionist entity has not joined the treaty, adopted in 1993.
Since then more than half of the world's chemical weapons stockpile has been destroyed under the terms of the treaty by over 180 countries.

The UN Security Council will convene to discuss a statement based on Moscow's plan in the near future.

It is worth mentioning that the Foreign Ministers of US and Russia have also scheduled a meeting to discuss the chemical disarmament.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team