The United Nations (UN) confirmed that Syria’s chemical stockpiles had been irreversibly destroyed. The announcement was made during a UN Security Council session titled “The Situation in the Middle East.”
UN Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu briefed Council members on the process of removing chemical weapons from Syria. Nakamitsu said inspection teams from the UN and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had visited Syria last month.
Nakamitsu said the teams had conducted inspection and verification work at chemical weapons storage and destruction facilities. She said the OPCW had confirmed that the inventories matched Syria’s latest declarations and announced that the chemicals had been irreversibly destroyed.
Nakamitsu said the verification marked the first time since 2014 that the OPCW had confirmed the destruction of chemical munitions originating from Syria. She also welcomed Syria’s regular cooperation with the OPCW.
Olabi stresses international cooperation
Ibrahim Olabi, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said the country would continue working with international parties to ensure accountability and national justice over the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Olabi said Israeli attacks on Syria had obstructed chemical weapons search and destruction operations and had completely halted the work at certain stages.
Calling on Council members to assume their responsibilities, Olabi said the attacks threatened regional stability as well as Syria’s security. Olabi said regional security could not be ensured if Syria’s security was put at risk.