US-Russia chemical weapons deal 'a victory for Syria'

A senior Syrian minister hailed Russia's deal with the United States to put the Middle Eastern country's weapons under international control as a "victory", Russian news agency Ria Novosti reported.

"This is a victory for Syria won thanks to our Russian friends," Syria's Minister of National Reconciliation Ali Haidar said.

It was not clear if the comments by Ali Haidar, who is not in President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle of decision-makers, reflect the president's views.