Austrian defence minister reiterates offer to send chemical weapons experts to Syria

Austrian Defense Minister Gerald Klug on Tuesday reiterated his offer made last week to send chemical weapons experts to Syria under a UN mandate. His comments followed calls from Russia for Syrian chemical weapons to be given over to international control. "The offer naturally remains open," Klug said. He added the UN mandate was an unconditional prerequisite for Austrian participation, along with a political resolution to the crisis, as well as appropriate infrastructure for the dismantling of the weapons. On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proposed the establishment of a "safe zone" in which the chemical weapons arsenal could be destroyed, even if fighting in the country persists. When asked if Austrian participation would be possible in this scenario, Klug said it would have to be "strictly examined." Without a solution to the chemical weapons issue, he was "steadfastly convinced" the country could not have lasting peace, Klug said.