Assad says Syria needs one year to destroy chemical weapons

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he needs about one year to destroy his country's chemical weapons.

Speaking to Fox News TV, Assad again denied claims that his forces were responsible for a deadly chemical attack near Damascus on 21 August.

Referring to the issue of destroying Syria's stockpiles of chemical weapons, Assad said it was 'a very complicated operation, technically,' adding that it needs a lot of money.

According to the BBC, he said that destroying the weapons is very detrimental to the environment.

'If the American administration is ready to pay this money and take the responsibility of bringing toxic materials to the United States, why don't they do it?' he added.