Russia wants pragmatic steps for Syrian chemical arsenal

Russia Saturday urged the international community to take pragmatic steps to destroy Syrian chemical weapons after a unanimously approved a UN Security Council resolution (UNSC).

"To achieve the aim, it is necessary to focus on the energetic implementation, avoiding any politicisation when carrying out the practical tasks," reported Xinhua citing the Russian foreign ministry in a statement, referring to the late Friday resolution which envisages elimination of Syrian chemical arsenals in the first half of 2014.

Noting that the process "will require substantial financial, organisational and technical support," Moscow called on the international community to provide it "in a short period of time".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview with Russian TV Channel, said the resolution "absolutely rules out the use of force or any application of Chapter VII (of the UN Charter)".

He said any possible use of force in the future under Chapter VII will need a new resolution, if there is "convincing and unequivocal proof" of non-compliance.

Lavrov also reminded that all UN member states, especially neighbours of Syria, should take measures to prevent chemical weapons from being supplied to the opposition through their territories.

Russia is ready to participate in the operation in Syria "in all its components", facilitating the implementation of the agreements reached by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the UN, he added.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the resolution will ensure that the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons programme "happens as soon as possible and with the utmost transparency and accountability".