Syrian opposition rejects US-Russia deal on chemical weapons

ISTANBUL - The Syrian opposition on Saturday rejected here an agreement between the United States and Russia on Syrian chemical weapons and refused to declare a ceasefire with the government.

Salim Idris, general of the rebel Free Syrian Army, made the remarks at a press conference of the exiled opposition Syrian National Coalition in Istanbul, minutes after the United States and Russia declared that they have agreed on a plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons in 2014.

Idris said the deal was only between the United States and Russia, and that the Syrian opposition does not accept it. On the contrary, he said they will continue to fight on the ground against the government forces.

"As the regime already started to d eploy the chemical weapons in Lebanon and Iraq, it is impossible for us to accept the destruction of the chemical weapons in 2014," he said.

The United States and Russia agreed earlier Saturday in Geneva that Damascus must submit a comprehensive list of its chemical weapon stocks within a week, which will be followed by their transfer and destruction in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Syrian opposition is expected to announce their interim government later Saturday as their general assembly meeting is still going on in Istanbul.