Syria: President Assad says it will take one year to destroy Syria's chemical weapons

Mr Assad speaks to journalists from Fox News. 

Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has told Fox News that his is committed to a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons, but warned it could take around one year. The President said destroying his countries stockpiles of chemical weapons was "a very complicated operation, technically", adding: "It needs one billion (dollars). It is very detrimental to the environment. If the American administration is ready to pay this money and take responsibility of bringing the toxic materials to the United States, why don't they do it". In the interview with the US broadcaster, Mr Assad again denied claims that his forces were responsible for a chemical weapons attack on civilians in a area near Damascus in August. He used the one-hour interview to criticize the United State's stance on the Syrian Civil War. He said that Washington had tried to get involved in Syria's leadership and governance, and - in an apparent reference to President Obama of the US - added: "Listen to your people. Follow the common sense of your people".