UN official: Major progress in eliminating remnants of Syria's chemical weapons program
New York, Sept 4 (KUNA) -- A UN official confirmed significant progress in the process of eliminating remnants of Syria’s chemical weapons program, noting that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has, for the first time since 2014, verified the destruction of Syrian chemical munitions. This was stated during a briefing delivered yesterday evening, Thursday, by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, at a Security Council session convened to discuss the implementation of Resolution 2118 concerning the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program.
Nakamitsu emphasized that cooperation and communication continue between the United Nations, the OPCW, and the Syrian authorities, citing ongoing consultations on ways to dispose of program remnants and achieving “significant progress” in this regard. She also highlighted continued efforts to address outstanding issues related to the initial declarations submitted by the former Syrian authorities. These issues include potential quantities of chemical warfare agents and munitions that had not been previously declared. She noted that the OPCW Technical Secretariat has conducted several visits to key sites, conducted interviews, and collected samples, with full cooperation from the Syrian authorities.
Nakamitsu explained that these efforts have yielded tangible results, as Syrian authorities revised their initial declaration last June following the discovery of previously undeclared chemical weapons. They also declared an additional chemical weapons production facility and two storage sites. She stressed the necessity of identifying those responsible for the use of chemical weapons and holding them accountable, calling on Security Council members to demonstrate unity and leadership in supporting what she described as “unprecedented efforts.”
The UN official renewed her affirmation of the international organization’s readiness to continue providing assistance and supporting efforts aimed at preventing the use of chemical weapons anywhere and under any circumstances.
For his part, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ibrahim Al-Alabi, described the start of the destruction process for some of the chemical materials found in his country as a “historic moment.” In his address to the Council, Al-Alabi stated that this process is the first since the fall of the former regime and the first to destroy chemical munitions on Syrian soil in more than a decade. He added that the process demonstrates the possibility of transforming a file that has long been a source of danger for Syrians and the world into a model of what can be achieved through diplomacy coupled with international will and cooperation.
Al-Alabi clarified that the process is being carried out in accordance with the verification procedures adopted by the OPCW Technical Secretariat. He affirmed that his country is working to prevent the remnants of these weapons from falling into the “wrong hands,” thereby contributing to the protection of Syria, the region, and the world. He noted that securing every site and identifying every munition helps reduce the scope of the threat.
Al-Alabi highlighted his country’s efforts in holding trials for users of chemical weapons, thereby reinforcing the principle of combating impunity and helping to prevent the recurrence of such weapons’ use. At the same time, the Syrian envoy warned against “repeated Israeli attacks” that hinder search and destruction operations related to the file, stressing the necessity for the international community to play its role in creating safe conditions for the continuation of this path. (End) E.S.T. / M.A.H.A.
