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Conflict in Syria

Still unclear when mission can be deployed to Syria's Douma, OPCW chief says

According to the OPCW head, experts from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) carried out reconnaissance in Douma

THE HAGUE, April 18. /TASS/. The security situation does not allow experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to enter the Syrian town of Douma, where an alleged chemical weapons attack took place on April 7, OPCW Director General Ahmet Uzumcu said on Wednesday.

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Russia calls on West to stop meddling with OPCW work in Syria

According to Uzumcu, experts from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) carried out reconnaissance in Douma. "On arrival at site one, a large crowd gathered and the advice provided by the UNDSS was that the reconnaissance team should withdraw," he said.

"At site two, the team came under small arms fire and an explosive was detonated," he added.

"The UNDSS will continue to work with the Syrian National Authority, the local Councils in Douma, and the Russian Military Police to review the security situation. At present, we do not know when the FFM team can be deployed to Douma," the OPCW head said. "Of course, I shall only consider such deployment following approval by the UNDSS, and provided that our team can have unhindered access to the sites."

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OPCW Syrian conflict

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