Tel Aviv, June 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Syria's stockpiles of chemical weapons may end up in the hands of terrorists as the ruling regime and anti-government forces continue fierce fighting, an Israeli military commander has said.

Syria's chemical arsenal is the world's largest. It has missiles that are capable of destroying targets on the entire territory of Israel, Kol Israel radio station quoted Israeli General Staff deputy chief Major General Yair Naveh as saying.

The Israeli army should keep its vigilance to prevent Syrian chemical weapons ending up in the hands of militant groups like Al Qaeda or Lebanon-based Hezbollah, he said.

At least 9,000 people have been killed in clashes between the government and opposition forces in Syria since the start of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad last year, according to UN estimates.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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