© AP/Ivan SekretarevRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, welcomes Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, left, in Moscow, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013
Russia has urged Syria to put its chemical weapons under international control for subsequent destruction to avert a possible military strike.
"We are calling on the Syrian authorities not only agree on putting chemical weapons storages under international control, but also for its further destruction and then joining the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons," Lavrov said. "We have passed our offer to [Syrian Foreign Minister] Walid al-Muallem and hope to receive a fast and positive answer," he added.
It is unclear if Syria will support the offer, but if it helps to avoid a military strike, Russia is immediately prepared to work with Damascus, Lavrov said.
The Foreign Minister's statement comes shortly after US Secretary of State John Kerry's comment that the Syrian President "could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community" to avoid a military strike on the country.
"Sure, he could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week - turn it over, all of it without delay and allow the full and total accounting [of it[, but he isn't about to do it and it can't be done," Kerry said.
Comment: See also:
Assad did not order Syria chemical weapons attack, says German press
Putin: Syria chemical attack is 'rebels' provocation in hope of intervention'
Putin accused Kerry of lying about al-Qaida's involvement in Syria at the G-20 summit
Syria: Associated Press admits White House has no evidence whatsoever
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