Syria's PM welcomes Russian initiative ahead of possible US strike

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al- Halqi stressed Tuesday support to a Russian initiative in order to avoid possible U.S. strike against Syria. During a cabinet session Tuesday, al-Halqi said the Syrian government is ready to cooperate with the international political initiatives that aim to defuse the war. On Monday, Russia proposed an initiative on the Syrian crisis, stimulating to secure the chemical stockpiles of the Syrian government under international observation, an apparent attempt to cool down the tension. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that his country will push Syria to place its chemical weapons under international control if such a move would help avert possible U.S. strike against the Arab country. Al-Halqi said the government's support showed its will to protect civilians and national security, as well as to avoid war that could engulf the whole region. The prime minister, meanwhile, said that the Syrian people want to end the current crisis through national dialogue during the planned, yet delayed, international conference in Geneva.