This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24178830
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Syria 'submits chemical arms data' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Syria has begun sending details of its chemical weapons as part of a US-Russia brokered deal to make them safe, the chemical arms watchdog has said. | |
The Hague-based OPCW added that it expected more details from Syria in the coming days and had postponed a meeting planned for Sunday. | |
Syria was given a Saturday deadline to give a full list of its chemical arms. | |
The US had threatened military action over a chemical attack in Damascus last month, which the UN called a war crime. | The US had threatened military action over a chemical attack in Damascus last month, which the UN called a war crime. |
The US, UK and France have accused Syrian government forces of carrying out the attack in the Ghouta district, but President Bashar al-Assad has blamed rebel groups. | |
Meeting postponed | |
Michael Luhan, a spokesman for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is responsible for policing the treaty outlawing chemical arms, said Syria's submission was an "initial declaration". | |
Mr Luhan said it was now being examined by the organisation's technical secretariat but he declined to say what was in it. | |
A UN diplomat confirmed to Reuters that details had been submitted, adding: "It's quite long... and being translated." | |
The US-Russia-brokered deal aims to have inspectors on the ground in Syria in November, when they will make an initial assessment and oversee the destruction of certain equipment. | |
The destruction of all of Syria's chemical weapons would then be completed by mid-2014. | |
The core members of the OPCW were expected to vote on the timetable next week. | |
However, the OPCW said in a statement on Friday that a meeting of its executive council scheduled for Sunday had been postponed, without giving a reason. | However, the OPCW said in a statement on Friday that a meeting of its executive council scheduled for Sunday had been postponed, without giving a reason. |
"We will announce the new date and time... as soon as possible," it said. | "We will announce the new date and time... as soon as possible," it said. |