Russia works on plan to place Syrian chemical weapons under int'l control: FM

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Russia has been working on a feasible plan to place Syrian chemical weapons under international control, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here Tuesday.

"The Russian side is currently busy preparing a feasible, clear, detailed plan. For that purpose, contacts with the Syrian side are underway at the moment," Lavrov told reporters following his talks with Libyan counterpart Mohamed Abdulaziz.

Lavrov assured that the plan would be soon submitted for further discussions to the UN Secretary General and the Security Council as well as the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

According to Lavrov, Moscow has been in regular contact with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to inform him about Russian efforts to find a diplomatic way out of the crisis.

Stressing that the perpetrators must be brought to justice, he reminded that U.S. President Barack Obama has aired his preference to a diplomatic solution than a military action.

On Tuesday, Obama described the Russian proposal to place Syrian chemical weapons under international control as "a positive development."

"I consider this (Russian proposal) a modestly positive development. If we can accomplish this limited goal without taking military action, that would be my preference," Obama said in a TV interview.

He added that the recent developments did not scrap a necessity to investigate all cases of chemical weapons used in Syria, where the UN experts should return to.

After Russia's proposal, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid delayed a test vote on the resolution scheduled for Wednesday, citing that "international discussions" are continuing for a peaceful settlement of the crisis.

In another development, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said here on Tuesday that his government has accepted the proposal to hand over its chemical arsenal.

"We held a round of very effective talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday. He proposed a chemical weapons initiative and we accepted the Russian initiative later that evening," al-Moualem said when meeting with State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin.

According to the diplomat, Syria made the decision in order to "stave off an American aggression," Interfax news agency quoted him as saying. Endi

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