Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi says the country's chemical weapons stocks are secure and would only be used in the case of a foreign attack.

There has been widespread concern that Syria's stocks of chemical weapons could fall into the hands of the rebels fighting the government, some of whom are believed to have links to al-Qaida.

There was also concern the weapons might be used to defend the regime.

Makdissi said in a news conference Monday, July 23 broadcast on state television that the weapons are under the protection of the Syrian army and “would never be used inside Syria”, The Associated Press reported.