Opposition Democratic Party against Syria chemical weapons in Albania

The main Albanian opposition Democratic Party (DP) Chair Lulzim Basha said Thursday he was against bringing Syria's chemical weapons in Albania.

Speaking to reporters following the DP parliamentary groupmeeting, Basha called on Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to take an unequivocal stand against chemical weapons in Albania and in favour of the citizens'security.

"No should be said to chemical weapons in Albania. There should be no decisions that endanger public health and security. We will support the Albanian citizens to the end. We have already taken legal steps with regard to this issue," Basha said.

Representatives from the civil society have expressed themselves against the politicization of this issue, since it is a problem concerning all Albanians.

Meanwhile, DP filed a request to the Assembly of Albania, calling for a referendum on the issue of a demand to host the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

"For such a vital issue, the people must decide, Albanian citizens who are eligible to vote must and will decide."Basha stated, adding that DP steadfastly opposes this process.

Director of the "Green Cross International" Paul Walker said on Thursday evening in a televised interview that the USA has asked the government of Albania to help in the destruction of the chemical weapons of Syria if is is interested. The USA has asked even other countries. Some have replied No, but some others have not replied yet. Albania was among these countries, Walker said.

Walker emphasized that Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is set to approve the plan by Friday. But, Albania needs infrastructure and popular support to do this, Walker said.