Statement by the OPCW’s Director-General on Syria

The OPCW Director General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, is gravely concerned about the latest allegations of use of chemical weapons in suburban Damascus reportedly resulting in tragic loss of innocent civilian lives. Any use of chemical weapons is abhorrent and stands fully condemned by the international community as embodied in the Chemical Weapons Convention and underlined in its near universal acceptance.

The Director-General shares the view expressed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-moon that such alleged incidents should be thoroughly investigated. He recalled that the OPCW expertise was already part of the UN investigation team presently in Syria. This investigation is taking place under the mechanisms established to deal with such allegations in the case of countries that are not States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.