China Lauds US-Russia Syria Chem Arms Deal

US plans for military intervention in Syria have been met with strong opposition at home. Photo by EPA/BGNES

China and its Foreign Minister have welcomed the US-Russia agreement on Syria which prevented an imminent American military intervention against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

"We believe the framework agreement will ease the current tense situation that may be triggered at any moment in Syria and creates new prospects for resolving the chemical weapon issue in Syria through peaceful means," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

He spoke at the beginning of a meeting with his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius, who is on an official visit in Beijing.

Ahead of his arrival there, Fabius said the deal on destroying Syria's chemical weapons was "a significant step forward."

The agreement between Russia and the US was reached in Geneva Saturday after three days of talks between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

They announced that they have prepared an outline for the identification and seizure of Syrian chemical weapons, according to which Syria must turn over an accounting of its arsenal within a week.

International media reported Saturday that the agreement will be backed by a UN Security Council resolution that could allow for sanctions or other consequences if Syria fails to comply.

Kerry said explained the first international inspection of Syrian chemical weapons will take place by November, with destruction to begin next year.

The US accuses the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad of killing hundreds in a sarin gas attack in a Damascus suburb on August 21.

Assad's government denies the allegations and has blamed the rebels of carrying out the attack.

More than 100 000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011. Millions of Syrians have been displaced.

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