Speaking at a press conference in Geneva on Saturday, after the third day of intense negotiations, Kerry said that arms inspectors should be on the ground in Syria by November with the goal of eliminating the country’s chemical weapons by mid-2014.

“Providing this framework is fully implemented it can end the threat these weapons pose not only to the Syrian people but also to their neighbours,” Kerry told reporters at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after they wrapped up three days of talks in Geneva.

Lavrov said their decision was based upon “consensus and compromise”, pointing out that the deal contained nothing about the potential use of force if Syria fails to comply.