France to propose U.N. resolution on Syria chemical arms

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Tuesday that France would propose a U.N. Security Council resolution setting out conditions for Syria to place its chemical weapons under international control and accept that they will be dismantled.

Fabius told a news conference in Paris the resolution would warn of “extremely serious” consequences for Damascus if it breached those conditions.

The Foreign Minister also said that Assad would have to rapidly place his arsenal of chemical weapons under international control and allow its destruction.

Moreover, those responsible for carrying out the attack would be brought before the International Criminal Court to face prosecution for their crimes, he emphasized.

France has repeatedly pressed for strikes on Syrian government strongholds over the purported chemical attack, despite opposition from Russia, but has said it could only intervene if the United States leads the way.

Fabius highlighted that “rapid, serious and verifiable” commitments were needed from the Syrian government.

(With Reuters)