Syria has welcomed the deal struck by the US and Russia to seize control of and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons.
Ali Haidar, Syrian reconciliation minister said:
“On the one hand, it helps Syria come out of the crisis and, on the other, it helps avoid the war against Syria depriving those who wanted to launch it of arguments to do so,"
"It's a victory for Syria achieved thanks to our Russian friends."
BBC News’ Jim Muir said of the deal:
“For Syrian Minister Ali Haidar to hail it as a victory for Syria is creative indeed. These are weapons Syria never even admitted having, and vehemently denies using.
Yet it is being obliged to let them be destroyed, and to allow international inspectors instant, unfettered access to hitherto top-secret sites.
It is a bitter pill for Damascus, however brave a face it may put on it.”