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Syria chemical weapons: Concern over rebel-held sites Syria chemical weapons: Concern over rebel-held sites
(about 3 hours later)
The head of the team tasked with destroying Syria's chemical weapons says he is concerned about accessing some sites in rebel-controlled areas. The head of the body tasked with destroying Syria's chemical weapons says he is concerned about accessing some sites in rebel-controlled areas.
Ahmet Uzumcu, of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, renewed calls for both sides in the conflict to support his mission.Ahmet Uzumcu, of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, renewed calls for both sides in the conflict to support his mission.
He told the BBC he hopes the Nobel Peace Prize - awarded to the group last week - will help their work in Syria. He told the BBC he hoped the Nobel Peace Prize - awarded to the group last week - would help their work in Syria.
Syria officially joins the Chemical Weapons Convention on Monday.Syria officially joins the Chemical Weapons Convention on Monday.
In his first interview since the OPCW won the prize, director-general Mr Uzumcu told the BBC's Today programme that President Bashar al-Assad's government had been co-operating and facilitating the weapons experts. The OPCW and the UN have had a team of 60 experts and support staff in Syria since 1 October. They are based in Damascus and have been carrying regular visits to facilities.
He said they had already managed to access five out of at least 20 factories capable of producing chemical weapons. Details of the visits have not been released. Syria is believed to possess mustard gas, as well as the sarin and VX nerve agents.
However, he added that some of the sites listed in Syria's declaration lie within opposition territory. In his first interview since the OPCW won the prize, director-general Mr Uzumcu told the BBC's Today programme that Syrian officials had been co-operating and facilitating the experts' work.
He said they had been taken wherever they wanted to go, and that they had already reached five out of at least 20 facilities capable of producing chemical weapons.
However, Mr Uzumcu added that some of the sites listed in Syria's declaration lie within opposition territory.
"They change hands from one day to another, which is why we appeal to all sides in Syria to support this mission, to be co-operative and not render this mission more difficult. It's already challenging," he said."They change hands from one day to another, which is why we appeal to all sides in Syria to support this mission, to be co-operative and not render this mission more difficult. It's already challenging," he said.
"One site which we understand was already abandoned, is in the rebel-held area, so we will see whether we can have access to this site." He added that mortar shells had fallen "next to the hotel where our team is staying and there are exchanges for fire not far from where they go".
It is the first time the OPCW has worked in a war zone since it was set up in 1997.
'Morale boost''Morale boost'
Mr Uzumcu recently called for a ceasefire in Syria to enable his teams to destroy the stockpiles.Mr Uzumcu recently called for a ceasefire in Syria to enable his teams to destroy the stockpiles.
He told the BBC his teams had been encouraged by the recognition that the Nobel prize had brought.He told the BBC his teams had been encouraged by the recognition that the Nobel prize had brought.
"This came as a very big boost of morale to them," he said."This came as a very big boost of morale to them," he said.
"They are working in very challenging circumstances in the field. In awarding the prize they said it was about recognising the work of the past 16 years, but also the work that lies ahead, in Syria.""They are working in very challenging circumstances in the field. In awarding the prize they said it was about recognising the work of the past 16 years, but also the work that lies ahead, in Syria."
He added: "Of course the expectations are high."He added: "Of course the expectations are high."
The OPCW, based in The Hague, was established to enforce the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.The OPCW, based in The Hague, was established to enforce the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.
Its mission in Syria is the first time its inspectors have worked in an active war zone. The body is made up of 189 member states and the principal role of its 500-strong staff is to monitor and destroy all existing chemical weapons.
The OPCW is made up of 189 member states and the principal role of its 500-strong staff is to monitor and destroy all existing chemical weapons.
The US-Russian disarmament deal on Syria's chemical weapons was sparked by a poison-gas attack in Damascus on 21 August in which hundreds were killed.The US-Russian disarmament deal on Syria's chemical weapons was sparked by a poison-gas attack in Damascus on 21 August in which hundreds were killed.
Western nations blamed forces loyal to President Assad, but he blamed rebel fighters.Western nations blamed forces loyal to President Assad, but he blamed rebel fighters.
Syria later agreed to join the global Chemical Weapons Convention, and the UN said it would come under the treaty from 14 October.Syria later agreed to join the global Chemical Weapons Convention, and the UN said it would come under the treaty from 14 October.
Under a UN resolution, Syria's chemical weapons production equipment must be destroyed by 1 November and stockpiles must be disposed of by mid-2014.Under a UN resolution, Syria's chemical weapons production equipment must be destroyed by 1 November and stockpiles must be disposed of by mid-2014.