Syria’s opposition rejects deal by US and Russia to use diplomacy with Assad regime

Syria’s opposition has been giving its response to the Russian and US deal to get rid of chemical weapons in the country.

The head of the Free Syrian Army, Salam Idris, said using diplomacy rather than military force was a blow to their efforts to overthrow President Assad’s regime.

“We don’t recognize the Russian initiative and we think the Russians and the Syrian regime are playing games to waste time and to win time for the criminal regime in Damascus. We will faciliate the mission of the investigators in the country but very clearly and frankly there will be no ceasefire with the regime,” Idris said.

Meanwhile France and Britain have welcomed the agreement. France’s foreign minister called it “an important step forward” and said talks on Monday in Paris would focus on how to implement the six point plan.

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, pledged support and said he hoped the plan would pave the way for a political solution to stop the suffering of the Syrian people.