Most of Syria's chemical arsenal not yet on rockets, US and Russia say
US and Russia agree that Damascus' arsenal is largely stored in the form of liquid precursors to gas, and so can be neutralised fairly quickly
US and Russian officials believe that the vast majority of Syria's nerve agent stockpile consists of "unweaponised" liquid precursors that could be neutralised relatively quickly.
That will lower the risk the toxins could be hidden away by the regime or stolen by terrorists.
A confidential assessment by the two governments also concludes that Syria's entire arsenal could be destroyed in about nine months, according to two people briefed on the analysis.
The assessment came as the five permanent members of the UN Security Council reportedly agreed on Thursday on the resolution requiring Syria to give up its chemical weapons to international inspectors, but with no automatic penalties if they fail to comply. The deal has yet to be approved by the full 15-member Security Council.
Experts from the world's chemical weapons watchdog will begin inspecting Syria's stockpile of toxic munitions by Tuesday, according to a draft agreement.
The draft, which was due to be voted on last night, calls on members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to make cash donations to fund Syria's fast-tracked destruction operation.