Netanyahu says, 'Syria must be stripped of its chemical weapons'

As Syria accepted a Russian proposal to give up its chemical stockpiles, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the international community must ensure that Syria is stripped of its chemical weapons. Speaking at a military ceremony in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said, "It must be ensured that the Syrian regime is stripped of its chemical weapons, and the world must make sure that whoever uses weapons of mass destruction pays a price for it." "The message that is received in Syria will be received loudly in Iran," the Israeli premier added, once again drawing a connection between the civil war in neighbouring Syria and Iran. Netanyahu's speech came after Syria agreed on Tuesday to abide by a Russian proposal to hand over its chemical stockpiles in the face of possible US military action.  At least 1,429 people including 426 children were killed during a chemical weapons attack near Damascus on August 21, according to US figures. Since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011, more than 100,000 people have died in the country.