US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday said Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad could take “credit” for quickly starting the process of destroying his regime’s chemical weapons arsenal and thanked Russia for its help.
“The process has begun in record time and we are appreciative for the Russian cooperation and obviously for the Syrian compliance,” he told reporters alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei lavrov after talks in Indonesia.
“I think it’s extremely significant that yesterday, Sunday, within a week of the (UN) resolution being passed, some chemical weapons were being destroyed,” Kerry said.
“I think it’s a credit to the Assad regime, frankly. It’s a good beginning and we welcome a good beginning.” Experts destroyed missile warheads, aerial bombs and chemical mixing equipment Sunday on the first day of the campaign to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons, the UN said, after an alleged attack on civilians by pro-Assad forces brought the threat of US-led intervention.