France hails US-Russia agreement on Syria

France hailed the agreement reached Saturday by the United States and Russia on a plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons as a breakthrough.

France hailed the agreement reached Saturday by the United States and Russia on a plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons as a breakthrough.

"The plan is a significant step forward," foreign minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement, after his Russian and US counterparts reached a deal in Geneva.

Fabius, whose country has been Washington's main support in advocating military action against Damascus, added that he was awaiting further information from UN inspectors.

"France will take the report to be published Monday by the United Nations inspectors on the Damascus massacre into account before formulating a definitive stance," he said.

The United Nations team which conducted an investigation into the alleged August 21 chemical attack that sparked an international outcry is to release its findings on Monday.