President Obama added that he has ordered the U.S. military to be prepared for an attack should diplomacy fail. His address came hours after the Syrian government acknowledged its chemical weapons stockpile and expressed more detailed backing for the Russian plan. Speaking from Moscow, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said his government is prepared to stop chemical weapons production and grant access to international inspectors.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem: “We intend to join the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. And we are ready to honor our obligation towards this treaty, including providing all information about these weapons. We are ready to announce the location of the chemical weapons and stop their production.”