"syria needed to ease the international pressure" haider told me. "we wanted to protect the people and not be dragged into an unpredictable conflict with america." the u.s.-based n.t.i. think tank says syria's chemical arsenal is spread between multiple research, production, and storage sites. across the country that's now a complex patchwork of battle zones and shifting front lines. still, haider said he believes international inspectors will be able to do their work. essentially you're telling me that all the government facilities are not only secure but accessible? "yes," he said. "our facilities are in safe locations, still protected by the syrian government so access will be fairly easy." easy? well, that's unlikely. but the challenges of securing the weapons amid the fighting won't be clear until the inspectors are actually on syrian soil. >> pelley: and liz palmer is joining us from the syrian capital again tonight. liz, what's the sense in damascus? is there a sense of relief? >> reporter: there was a great collective sigh of relief when the