The European Parliament hailed the initiative to put the Syrian chemical weapons under international control and to destroy them as soon as possible.

The European Parliament hailed the initiative to put the Syrian chemical weapons under international control and to destroy them as soon as possible.

In a statement released Thursday, the Parliament called for a binding international resolution to take action in accordance with the United Nations Charter in case Damascus wouldn't implement the international demands.

It also called the United Nations to complete the investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria as soon as possible and to submit the report to the Security Council so that the latter can review procedures to be taken in response to the use of chemical weapons and to punish those responsible.

The European Parliament's statement noted that the use of chemical weapons against civilians is a flagrant violation of international law, a military crime and a crime against humanity.

"This action requires a clear, strong and united response without ruling out possible deterrent steps to ensure that such crimes are not acceptable in the future, neither in Syria nor in other countries," the EU Parliament stressed.