Syria is bowing to pressure from its allies and has agreed to place its chemical weapons under international control.

Syria’s foreign minister has agreed to a proposal from the Russian government to surrender its weapons to avoid an attack by the US.

The head of the Arab League has also expressed support for the proposal. The League has blamed the Syrian government for the attack that killed hundreds of civilians in a Damascus suburb, but has been against military action unless the UN agreed.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says it still hasn’t been confirmed that a chemical attack on civilians took place. But he says such an attack would be an “abominable crime”  that the international community would have to act on.

Russia’s Foreign Minister says Moscow is now working with Syria to prepare a detailed plan of action that will be presented shortly.