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International experts get down to destruction of Syrian chemical arsenals

All components of the chemical weapons program to be destroyed by mid-2014
Photo EPA/Stringer
Photo EPA/Stringer

MOSCOW, October 6 (Itar-Tass) -- International experts have gotten down to the destruction of Syrian chemical weaponry arsenals, Agence France Presse said in a report quoting sources in the expert mission.

The agency’s interlocutors declined to go into any further details.

Syrian President’s advisor Bouthaina Shaaban said earlier the Syrian authorities would not name the chemical weaponry depots to be visited by the inspectors or dates of the visits there. She cited “the considerations of security and rationality.”

Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons /OPCW/ endorsed a plan for a full elimination of the stockpiles of Syrian chemical weapons, which is due to be completed by the middle of 2014. Friday, the UN Security Council issued a resolution making the OPCW’s decision mandatory and envisioning a package of measures up to sanctions or the use of force if either party to the conflict in Syria disobeys the terms of the plan.

Martin Nesirki, the official spokesperson for the Secretary General told reporters that the first consignment of Syrian chemical weapons subject to elimination was expected by October 7.

He said a team of inspectors numbering 34 persons, which is currently staying in Syria, is setting up the conditions together with the country’s legitimate authorities, for the mission’s future work.

This is an advance team consisting of two components - the technical component represented by the OPCW experts with the necessary experience and powers, and the UN officials helping them to do their work, Nesirki said.