United States President Barack Obama says the US will work with Russia on its proposal to persuade Syria to destroy its chemical weapons stockpile.
In a televised address to the American people, Mr Obama said the initiative has the potential to remove the threat of chemical weapons without the use of force.
However, Mr Obama said it is too early to tell whether the plan will succeed, and the US will maintain the threat of force should diplomacy fail.
"If we fail to act, the Assad regime will see no reason to stop using chemical weapons," he said.
Mr Obama said if the ban against such weapons erodes, other "tyrants" would have no reason to think twice about acquiring and using them.
"Over time our troops would again face the prospect of chemical warfare on the battlefield."
Mr Obama said any agreement would need to verify that the Assad regime keeps its commitments.
