"The process has begun in record time and we are appreciative for the Russian cooperation and obviously for the Syrian compliance," he told alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a press conference on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Nusa Dua on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Monday.

"I think it's extremely significant that yesterday, Sunday, within a week of the (UN) resolution being passed, some chemical weapons were being destroyed," Kerry said.

President Assad deserves credit for its speedy cooperation with the UN inspectors in the elimination of the weapons, Kerry said.

He added “It's a good beginning and we welcome a good beginning.”

Experts destroyed missile warheads, aerial bombs and chemical mixing equipment Sunday on the first day of the campaign to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons, the UN said.

The operation, performed by Syrian personnel under the supervision of international disarmament experts, took place under the terms of a UN Security Council resolution that will see Damascus relinquish country's chemical weapons.

RA/SHI