The removal of the first consignment of priority chemicals from the Syrian Arab Republic took place today. The chemicals were transported from two sites and loaded onto a Danish vessel which left the port of Latakia. The operation was assisted and verified by the OPCW-UN Joint Mission in Syria.
“This is an important step commencing the transportation of these materials as part of the plan to complete their disposal outside the territory of Syria” said Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü. “I encourage the Syrian government to maintain the momentum to remove the remaining priority chemicals, in a safe and timely manner, so that they can be destroyed outside of Syria as quickly as possible.”
Under Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) and decisions of the OPCW Executive Council, Syria’s entire chemical weapons programme is to be destroyed by 30 June 2014.
First Priority Chemicals in Syria Transported to Latakia and Removed from the Country
7 January 2014