U.S. hails progress as Syria begins chemical materials destruction
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syria announced on Thursday the start of destroying some chemical materials found in the country, while the United States hailed significant progress in addressing Syria’s chemical weapons file.
Speaking during a UN Security Council session on the situation in the Middle East, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, described the development as a “historic moment.”
“I announce before you today a historic moment: the beginning of the process of destroying some of the chemical materials that were found in Syria,” Olabi said.
Olabi’s announcement came during a Security Council discussion of developments related to Syria’s chemical weapons file and cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Tammy Bruce said Washington had noted “significant progress” in addressing the chemical weapons file in Syria.
The United States has supported efforts to identify, secure, declare and verifiably destroy materials linked to Syria’s former chemical weapons program.
The OPCW has been working with Syrian authorities on outstanding issues related to Syria’s chemical weapons declaration and on the identification and destruction of previously undeclared chemical weapons-related materials. (OPCW)
The chemical weapons file has remained before the Security Council for years, following allegations and investigations concerning the use and possession of chemical weapons in Syria.