It’s not permissible to let Syrian weapons of mass destruction fall in the hands of terrorists – Shoigu

Syria’s example demonstrated the results of chemical weapons’ falling in the hands of terrorists, Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu said today ,according to Voice of Russia, TASS.

“Unfortunately, on the example of Syria we see the results of what happens if chemical weapons fall in the hands of terrorists”, Shoigu told journalists after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at the level of Defence Ministers.

Today, he noted, “international terrorism still remains the main threat to peace and stability”. The Minister noted that components of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the hands of extremists represent the greatest danger.

“Our particular concern is the union of terrorism with the WMD components,” the Minister said. “That’s why we encourage our partners in the NATO-Russia Council to joint actions in the fight against this common threat to international peace and security,” Shoigu said.

He also noted that at the meeting, the parties discussed the situation around Syria. Russia’s position remains unchanged: there must be a political solution to the Syrian internal conflict. “The main thing now is the conscientious fulfillment of the UN Security Council’s resolution 21-18”, the Minister noted, “It is essential that the requirements of the destruction of chemical weapons and its components are applied not only to the government but to the opposition as well. We must confiscate these weapons from the “militants” and destroy it”. 

M.D