Moscow, Jul 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Moscow expects Syrian authorities to strictly comply with their country's obligations under the ban on chemical weapons, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said in a statement.

In 1968, Syria joined the 1925 Geneva Protocol on the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of bacteriological methods of warfare.

"The Russian side expects the Syrian authorities to adhere to their international obligations in the future," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Monday that Syria may use chemical weapons against external aggression as the West pushes for a possible military intervention in the country.

Syria is torn by violent clashes between troops loyal to President Bashar Al-Assad and opposition forces.

The Syrian stockpiles of chemical weapons are believed to consist mostly of large amounts of Sarin, in addition to tabun (nerve agents) and mustard gas, and the country is reportedly producing and preparing VX for weapons.