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Middle East and North Africa

Russian, Syrian foreign ministers discuss UN resolution on Syrian chemical weapons

Special attention was focused on a chemical weapons arsenals disposal under the supervision of the OPCW

MOSCOW, September 27 (Itar-Tass) - Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russian and Walid al-Muallem of Syria met on Friday on the sidelines of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss prospects for passing a United Nations Security Council resolution on placing Syria’s chemical weapons under international control and their subsequent disposal, the Russian foreign ministry reported.

“The conversation centered round the situation in and around Syria,” the ministry said. “Special attention was focused on a U.N. Security Council resolution in support of establishing international control of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenals and their subsequent disposal under the supervision of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).”

“Lavrov noted that this document, which fixes the commitment to abide by the Geneva communiqué of June 30, 2013, when approved, will promote the political and diplomatic settlement of the Syrian crisis,” the ministry noted.

The Syrian foreign minister, in turn, reiterated Damascus’ commitment to build constructive relations with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations in the interests of the implementation of this resolution and complete liquidation of chemical weapons in Syria. “He reiterated that the Syrian authorities are ready for a dialogue with various opposition structures and confirmed the Syrian authorities’ consent to take part in an international conference on Syria in Geneva without any preliminary conditions,” the Russian foreign ministry added.

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