WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the agreement reached between the United States and Russia to remove the Assad regime's chemical weapons in Syria:

“I'm very pleased to learn that diplomatic efforts between the United States and Russia have produced a framework for the expeditious identification and elimination of Assad's chemical weapons arsenal. A diplomatic solution to eliminate his chemical weapons capabilities is preferable to a military one, and is doubly important because it would also remove the possibility of the weapons falling into opposition hands if Assad loses power.

“While there are certainly challenges ahead in implementing and enforcing the deal, I am nonetheless encouraged by the developments and am looking forward to the process moving forward.”

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