Washington (CNN) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday it would be an "important step" if Syria immediately surrendered its chemical weapons stockpiles to international control. "But this cannot be another excuse for delay or obstruction. And Russia has to support the international community's efforts sincerely or be held to account," she said. A potential Democratic contender for president in 2016 who left the State Department in January, Clinton received questions and some criticism for not speaking out immediately after chemical weapons were allegedly used by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad last month. CNN Poll: Most Americans against U.S. strike on Syria
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Clinton says a "credible military threat" keeps pressure on Syria
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She says it "would be an important step" if Syria hands over chemical weapons control
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She has been criticized for not speaking out about the situation earlier
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NEW: Clinton helps Obama in outreach to senators on military authorization
Her comments came during an address on wildlife trafficking and followed a meeting with @placeholder.
But she emphasized she will support the president and argued a "political solution that ends the conflict is in the interested of the @placeholder."