You're reading: Russia warns Syria not to use chemical weapons

MOSCOW - Russia warned Syria on Tuesday not to use chemical weapons, saying Moscow"proceeds from the assumption" that the government will adhere to its international obligations. 

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Syria had ratified an international protocol in 1968 that bars the use of poison gases as a method of warfare.

Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi acknowledged on Monday that country had chemical weapons, saying it would not use them to crush rebels but could use them against forces from outside the country.