Updated

The new Syrian rebel commander has told The Associated Press that his fighters are monitoring the regime's chemical weapons sites, but don't have the means to seize and secure them.

Gen. Salim Idris, who defected from the Syrian army in July, says he is "very afraid" a cornered regime will use chemical weapons in Syria's civil war. Syria is said to have one of the world's largest chemical arsenals.

Idris portrayed Syrian President Bashar Assad as a figurehead, saying decisions are made by Assad's inner circle from the Alawite minority. Idris says the ruling elite won't surrender and is willing to "set everything on fire."

Idris also said late Tuesday that the regime has fired three Scud missiles so far and has more trained on northwestern Syria, ready to fire.