Syria Says It Will Not Use Chemical Or Biological Weapons To Crush Uprising

[News_Editor]

Syria says it will not use chemical or biological weapons to crush uprising < br />

2012-07-23 20:16:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- The Syrian government said Monday it will not use chemical or biological weapons to crush a 16-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, the first time it acknowledged possessing such weapons, but warned it could use them to fight off "external aggression."

Western governments have long accused Syria of having an active chemical weapons program, but the Syrian government previously denied possessing non-conventional weapons. A statement released by the Syrian cabinet in April 2003 rejected U.S. allegations that it was developing chemical weapons, saying such claims were designed to 'further the interests of Israel.'

But in the capital Damascus on Monday, Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said chemical and biological weapons are secured and directly monitored by the armed forces. He assured Syrian forces would not use the weapons during the ongoing internal conflict, but cautioned they could be used in the case of "external aggression."

However, Makdissi said it was also possible that rebels could use chemical weapons against civilians to blame them on the Syrian regime. "[They could] hit the political system in Syria through using tactical bombs or mines containing biological substances that would explode somewhere in a village and then accuse the Syrian forces of doing that," he said.

On Sunday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the Syrian government has a responsibility to safeguard its chemical weapons. "The U.S. is closely monitoring Syria's proliferation-sensitive materials, which include chemical weapons, and facilities, and we believe that Syria's chemical weapons remain under Syrian government control," he said. "But given the escalation in violence in Syria and the regime's increasing attacks on its own people, we remain very concerned about these weapons."

He added: "In addition to monitoring the stockpiles, we are actively consulting with Syria's neighbors and our friends in the international community to underscore our common concern about the security of these weapons and the Syrian government's obligation to secure them. We've long said the mere presence of chemical weapons in the region undermines stability."

Syria is not a signatory to the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons.

The UN estimates that more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syria and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising against President al-Assad began nearly 1.5 year ago. The opposition believes the number of deaths has already surpassed 17,000.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council renewed the mandate of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) for an additional period of 30 days. The mission, which was established in April, was set up to monitor violence in Syria and the implementation of a six-point peace plan put forward by UN-Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-07-23

[Credo]

An interesting twist to the situation.

[Ulysses G.]

"However, Makdissi said it was also possible that rebels could use chemical weapons against civilians to blame them on the Syrian regime."

Or Assad could detonate them himself and blame the rebels.

[Steely Dan]

The Assad regime has lied consistently so there is a good chance they are lying now. The trouble is there is imho an even greater chance of chemical weapons being used if they fall into the hands of rebels, unless their chain of command is organized and accountable to it's backers.

[BillyBobThai]

Assad needs to get the same thing Sadam got, hanging. If memory serves me right, the person hanged before Sadam, they used to much weight on his feet and his head popped off. Could put his head on display for the people of Syria.

[GiHadOrange]

The Syrian government said Monday it will not use chemical or biological weapons to crush a 16-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, the first time it acknowledged possessing such weapons, but warned it could use them to fight off "external aggression."

Actually its a statement thats says that they would/could use chemical weapons as the government argues and claims that this so called uprising is to a huge part "external aggression."