Russia warns Syria against using chemical weapons
Troops practice putting on their gas masks during a chemical weapons training session as part of basic training November 5, 2009. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi
Image by: JESSICA RINALDI
Image by: JESSICA RINALDI
Russia's Foreign Ministry has chided Syria over its threat to resort to chemical weapons in the case of a foreign attack, reminding Damascus of its pledge to never use them.
The ministry's statement Tuesday appeared to reflect a degree of irritation with Russia's longtime ally, whom it has protected from international sanctions and continued to supply with weapons amid an escalating civil war.
Syria's threat on Monday to unleash its chemical and biological weapons if it faces a foreign attack marked its first-ever acknowledgement it possesses weapons of mass destruction and caused international outrage.
In its statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry reminded Syria that it had ratified a global convention banning the use of chemical weapons. It added that Russia expects Syria to "unfailingly honor its international obligations."
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