Canada worried Syrian chemical weapons could fall into wrong hands: Baird
July 25, 2012 - 1:07 PM
OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says the government is concerned about the possibility of Syrian weapons of mass destruction falling into the wrong hands.
Baird met with members of the Syrian opposition and with Syrian-Canadian representatives in his office.
The topic of a post-Assad regime was discussed during the meeting.
He says Canada and its allies are worried that chemical and biological weapons stockpiled by Bashar al-Assad's regime could either be used against opponents, or by other extremist groups before or after the government falls.
There has been evidence that al-Qaida jihadists have been infiltrating the crisis in Syria, something Russia has held up as a reason for blocking United Nations sanctions against Assad.
Baird says Canada is still hoping for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, noting that not every situation requires military action.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012