Assad: Syria needs one year to destroy chemical weapons

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he is committed to destroying the country's chemical weapons but warned it could take at least a year to do so.

Speaking to Fox News television, Mr Assad insisted that his forces were not responsible for a deadly chemical attack in Damascus on 21 August.

The Syria disarmament plan was unveiled by the US and Russia last weekend.

The West wants the deal enshrined in a UN resolution backed by the threat of military force, but Russia objects.