[thunder_chunky]

White House consulting with Syria's neighbors over chemical weapons; US believes stockpile remains under Assad's control.

The United States is closely monitoring Syria's chemical weapons stockpile and is "actively consulting" Damascus's neighbors to stress concerns over the security of those weapons and Syria's responsibility to safeguard them, the White House said on Saturday.

"We believe Syria's chemical weapons stockpile remains under Syrian government control," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said. "Given the escalation of violence in Syria and the regime's increasing attacks on their people, we remain very concerned about these weapons."

That was the White House response to a question about a Syrian military defector's claim that Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces were moving chemical weapons across the country for possible use against the opposition in a military retaliation for the killing of four top security officials

The Free Syrian Army is forming a team to secure the country's chemical weapons, an FSA general told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday.

According to the report, the rebel general was once in charge of drafting plans to secure the same sites in his previous role as a general in Syrian President Bashar Assad's army. He came out of retirement to join the opposition earlier this year.

"We have a group just to deal with chemical weapons," General Adnan Silou told the Telegraph.

He went on to describe two chemical weapons sites, one in east Damascus and another near Homs, according to the report.

In a separate interview, a senior Syrian military defector told Reuters Saturday that Assad's forces were moving chemical weapons across the country for possible use in a military retaliation for the killing of four top security officials.

"The regime has started moving its chemical stockpile and redistributing it to prepare for its use," said General Mustafa Sheikh, citing rebel intelligence obtained in recent days.

"They are moving it from warehouses to new locations," he told Reuters in an interview in southern Turkey, close to the Syrian border. "They want to burn the country. The regime cannot fall without perpetrating a sea of blood."

Syria's 16-month conflict has been transformed since Wednesday, when a bomb killed four members of Assad's narrow circle of kin and lieutenants, including his powerful brother-in-law, defense minister and intelligence chief.

Sheikh's comments could not be independently verified and Syria has denied any such move.

Western and Israeli officials, concerned that chemical stockpiles could fall into the hands of militants, said a week ago that Syria appeared to be shifting weapons from storage sites, but it was not clear whether the operation was a security precaution or a preparation for deployment.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak revealed Friday that Israel is preparing for a possible military intervention in Syria in case Damascus hands its missiles or chemical weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=278377

[toronto353]

The MHoC is concerned by these latest developments and we welcome the USA's investigation into this development. We urge Syria's immediate neighbours to be cautious in light of this news. Assad must go.

[Wawasan]

Malaysia is aware of the tensions that could potentially escalate with the deployment of these arms and will overlook developments with vigilant intent.

[Kittythecat]

Argentina hopes that USA's investigation into this development plays a positive role

[JPKC]

The French Republic is very concerned by these developments and will closely monitor the situation. It is our deepest hope that a peaceful solution can be found that will curtail the use of such weapons of mass destruction, however we will also consider other possibilities should the necessity for stronger action be made clear.

[eff01]

Georgia is deeply concerned by this latest development and is concerned that this situation can easily escalate into a chemical disaster. Whilst reiterating the commend of President Obama, Georgia would go further and state that all members of the al Assad regime should be held accountable for the mass genocide they continue to commit. Georgia calls on al Assad to leave office immediately and face an international court. We urge all GA members to support our resolution and send a clear message to Assad that his brutal murders will not be tolerated.

[TheCrackInTime]

The Syrian Arab Republic refers to the statement made by our foreign ministry:

"No chemical or biological weapons will ever be used - and I repeat, will never be used - during the crisis in Syria no matter what the developments inside Syria. All of these weapons are in storage and under security and the direct supervision of the Syrian military and will never be used unless Syria faces external aggression."

والجمهورية العربية السورية يشير إلى البيان الذي أدلى به وزارة خارجيتنا:

وسوف "من أي وقت مضى أي أسلحة كيميائية أو بيولوجية يمكن استخدامها - وأكرر، لن استخدامها - خلال الأزمة في سوريا بغض النظر عن التطورات داخل سوريا كل من هذه الأسلحة في التخزين والأمن وتحت إشراف مباشر من والسوري. لن العسكرية واستخدامها ما لم تواجه سوريا عدوان خارجي ".

[Florrick]

Brunei will offer help to secure Syria's weapons. Although pleased to hear that the USA is doing this, Brunei has suspicions, that this is not about the people in Syria becoming the target of these weapons, but Israel. Eitherway, this must be done as soon as possible.

[eff01]

(Original post by TheCrackInTime)
The Syrian Arab Republic refers to the statement made by our foreign ministry:

"No chemical or biological weapons will ever be used - and I repeat, will never be used - during the crisis in Syria no matter what the developments inside Syria. All of these weapons are in storage and under security and the direct supervision of the Syrian military and will never be used unless Syria faces external aggression."

والجمهورية العربية السورية يشير إلى البيان الذي أدلى به وزارة خارجيتنا:

وسوف "من أي وقت مضى أي أسلحة كيميائية أو بيولوجية يمكن استخدامها - وأكرر، لن استخدامها - خلال الأزمة في سوريا بغض النظر عن التطورات داخل سوريا كل من هذه الأسلحة في التخزين والأمن وتحت إشراف مباشر من والسوري. لن العسكرية واستخدامها ما لم تواجه سوريا عدوان خارجي ".

Could the Syrian delegation clarify what they mean by "external aggression" and what would constitute this?

[PierceBrosnan]

The Swiss Confederation is concerned and is closely monitoring the situation. We support the USA's investigation of course and hope that peace occurs in Syria.

[cl_steele]

Australia seconds the sentiments of the Swiss rep, we are deeply concerned about the status of these weapons given the turmoil currently engulfing the country and we hope that the USA's investigation yeilds positive results.

[RoryS]

Qatar is deeply concerned by this situation and, as other members have already expressed, will monitor the situation and keep in close contact with others involved. We support the USA's investigation and hope that this helps to restore peace in the country.

[Birchington]

Iran calls for the United States to back off and stop lecturing the Syrian government. President Assad has already declared his refusal to use these weapons on Syrian people, but instead on other states seeking to get involved in Syrian affairs. Iran continues to support President Assad and his attempts to end this terrorist insurrection that is seeking to destabilise the Syrian state.

India condemns the Syrian government for even proposing to use these weapons, and continues to call for further diplomacy to solve the conflict.