Options for destorying Syria's chemical weapons under consideration: Russia

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MOSCOW, Nov. 19 -- The international community is seeking more options for the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons after Albania's withdrawal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.

"Now the options are being sought as to how to do that outside Syria," the minister said in an interview with local Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily.

Last week Albania, which was seen as a possible place for destruction of Syrian chemical weapons, rejected a U.S. request to host the operation.

The country's Prime Minister Edi Rama said it was impossible for Tirana to get involved in that operation.

Lavrov declined to specify what country will host the destruction, but said discussions have been under way.

He added that Russia once helped the United States to establish contact with Syrian authorities responsible for chemical weapons storage.

Problems concerning the storage of chemical weapons in Syria were first discussed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama during last year's G20 summit in Mexico.

The destruction of Syria's chemical weapons will be overseen by experts from The Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

• Inspectors verifies 22 of 23 chemical weapons sites declared by Syria
• Russia concerned over reports on use of chemical weapons by Syrian militant
• Verification completed at 21 chemical weapons sites in Syria
• Syria cooperative in dismantling chemical arsenal: mission head
• Ban Ki-moon welcomes UN initiative to rid Syria of chemical weapons

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