US urges Syria to step up efforts on chemical weapons at UN Security Council
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United States urged on Friday the Syrian transitional government to intensify efforts to eliminate the remaining chemical weapons stockpiles dating back to the era of the former Assad government.
Speaking at a UN Security Council session on Syria and the Middle East, the US representative welcomed Syria’s new envoy to the United Nations, Ambassador Ibrahim al-Olabi. He also noted progress made by the Syrian government in coordination with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) since December of last year.
The US diplomat said the destruction of chemical weapons remained a key step toward ensuring regional and international security, calling for full transparency and sustained cooperation with the OPCW.
Russia’s representative to the Security Council welcomed Qatar’s role as a communication channel representing Syria at the OPCW until the appointment of Damascus’ permanent representative. He praised the Syrian government for allowing a clearer understanding of the full scope of its chemical program.
The French representative also encouraged Syrian authorities to maintain cooperation with the OPCW. He described the current political transition in Syria as an opportunity to ensure the dismantling of chemical weapons, but stressed that the previous Assad government had concealed significant aspects of its program.
The session concluded with calls from several member states for Damascus to commit to fulfilling its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and to maintain ongoing coordination with international bodies.