The Syrian National Coalition opposition group also questioned the initiative, calling it a "political manoeuvre aimed at buying time" for the regime of Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir
Pencilneckal-Assad
Scourge of Qusayr...
"The Free Syrian Army announces its categorical rejection of the Russian initiative that foresees placing chemical weapons under international control," FSA military commander General Selim Idriss said in a video posted on YouTube.
Idriss told world powers they should not "be satisfied only by removing the chemical weapon, which is the tool of a crime, but judge the author of the crime before the
International Criminal Court... where Milosevich died of old age before being convicted ...
, who has clearly acknowledged possessing it and agreed to get rid of it."
Assad told Russian television Thursday that Syria would place its chemical weapons under international control but emphasized the move was prompted by Moscow, not U.S. threats of military action.
Questioning the motives for the initiative by Russia, a close ally of Assad, the Coalition's overnight statement also said it would be unacceptable unless it "called to account the crimes against the Syrian people".
And any measures should be adopted under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, which allows for possible military measures.
It said that if the "response to Syria of the international community is not efficient and effective, Iran,
North Korea and the militia of Hizbullah will consider it a green light to manufacture and use chemical weapons".Idriss also called on countries backing the 30-month uprising against Assad to increase the supply of arms to the rebels so that they can "continue to liberate the country".
And he exhorted his fighters to "intensify operations in all regions of the country".
Syria's Moslem Brüderbund issued its own rejection of the Russian initiative and "any attempt to reach a settlement with the criminal regime."
It criticized any attempt to strike a deal "with those who committed genocide in cold blood with chemical weapons".
The group, which belongs to the Syrian National Coalition, called on the international community to "end political uncertainty and act... to prevent Assad from committing additional massacres".