France to float resolution at UN Security Council over alleged Syria chemical weapons use.

France will float a resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at forcing Syria to make public its chemical weapons program, place it under international control and dismantle it, the French foreign minister said Tuesday. Laurent Fabius said France, a permanent member of the 15-nation U.N. body, will start the resolution process on Tuesday under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which is militarily enforceable. The proposal would also condemn a chemical weapons attack near Damascus on Aug. 21 that Western powers allege was carried out by Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime — a claim he has denied. Photos of the day Queen Elizabeth II attends sack race, Miss World contestants, peace vigil for Syria, Japan wins 2020 Olympics bid and more. Friday's Photos of the day Latest stories from Foreign In central Mexico, it’s citizens vs. cartel Stephanie McCrummen 6:14 AM ET Soldiers look on as self-defense groups challenge a drug gang in the hills of Michoacan. Obama: Russia’s Syria proposal a potential ‘breakthrough’ Anne Gearan, Karen DeYoung and Will Englund 5:49 AM ET Syria embraces Moscow’s call to relinquish control of chemical weapons to avoid a U.S. strike. Kremlin critic has strong showing in Moscow mayoral race Will Englund SEP 9 Despite an election defeat, opposition turnout almost guarantees a shift in the Russian political landscape. Justice a question mark as Kenyan leader faces trial Sudarsan Raghavan SEP 9 Deputy President William Ruto is the first sitting elected leader on trial at The Hague. Navalny loses Moscow race, but declares moral victory Kathy Lally 2:54 AM ET The opposition leader proclaims the birth of a new and stronger opposition as he loses mayoral election. .The French initiative comes a day after Russia, a fellow permanent member of the council that has been a key ally of Assad’s regime, expressed support for a proposal for Syria’s chemical weapons arsenals to be placed under international control and destroyed. Fabius said the resolution, based around five points, would demand that Syria “bring fully to light” its chemical weapons program. The measure would also set up international inspections and controls of the dismantling process, and would carry “very serious consequences” if the commitment were violated. It would also seek to bring to justice those responsible for the Aug. 21 attack. The minister said he expected a “nearly immediate” commitment from Syria. He said Russia had information about Damascus’ chemical weapons stockpile, and expressed hope that this time a tough resolution on Syria would not be blocked — an allusion to a string of efforts led by Western powers at the U.N. body in recent months that were blocked by Russia and China. Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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