U.N. official urges Syrian government to cooperate with OPCW

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A senior United Nations official expressed on Thursday concern over the Syrian government’s lack of cooperation on the issue of chemical weapons, calling for cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Speaking at a U.N. Security Council briefing on the use of chemical weapons in Syria, Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative of the Office for Disarmament Affairs, emphasized that Syria’s “full cooperation” is “essential” to resolve all outstanding issues.

“Syria’s declaration still cannot be considered accurate or complete,” Ebo said, urging the Syrian government to work more closely with the OPCW.

Ebo explained that the lack of sufficient information from the Syrian government regarding potentially undeclared chemical weapons activities has led to the emergence of two new unresolved issues related to Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

He noted that 19 of the 26 outstanding matters remain unresolved, calling this an “extremely worrying development.”

Ebo also revealed that the Syrian government rejected two proposed timeframes by the OPCW to hold the next round of consultations, further complicating efforts to address the situation.

By Jwan Shekaki