Moscow's, Damascus' steps may help avoid war - Rouhani

BISHKEK. Sept 13 (Interfax) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Russian initiative to place Syrian chemical weapons under international control, and Syria's response to it could help avert a new war.

"Russia's initiative regarding Syria, as well as the Syrian government's steps, inspire hope that we will manage to avoid a new war," Rouhani told Russian President Vladimir Putin.