Syria Backs Russian Proposal For Regime To Hand Over Chemical Weapons | Patrick J. McDonnell

Sept. 9, 2013 -- 10:52 a.m. EST -- BEIRUT (Los Angeles Times) -- The Syrian government said Monday that it backed a Russian proposal calling for Damascus to hand over its arsenal of chemical weapons to international authorities in a bid to avoid a U.S. attack.

“We, for the sake of protecting our people and children and country and due to our trust in the Russian efforts, will cooperate fully with Russia in this regard so as to take away the excuses of this aggression,” Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said in a statement.

Russia has been a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

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