Syria on Tuesday started the movement of chemical weapons materials out of the country in a crucial phase of a disarmament program that has been backed internationally. The plan had been earlier delayed due to the internal political conditions and bad weather.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Tuesday that “priority chemical materials” were transported to the port of Latakia and onto a Danish vessel which was now sailing towards international waters.
Under a deal proposed by Russia, Syria agreed to abandon its chemical weapons by June after an August 21 Sarin gas attack. The deal was strongly backed by USA.
A December 31 deadline for the removal of the most deadly toxins from Syria was missed due to War, bad weather, bureaucracy and technical issues.
The OPCW did not disclose what percentage of Syria’s toxic arsenal — which totals 1,300 tons in all — had been removed but said nine containers of the most dangerous chemical materials were on the Danish cargo vessel.
“The vessel has been accompanied by naval escorts provided by Denmark and Norway, as well as the Syrian Arab Republic,” a statement said. “It will remain at sea awaiting the arrival of additional priority chemical materials at the port.”
Maritime security was being provided by Chinese, Danish, Norwegian and Russian ships.
