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Syria chemical weapons equipment destroyed, says OPCW Syria chemical weapons equipment destroyed, says OPCW
(about 1 hour later)
Syria's declared equipment for producing, mixing and filling chemical weapons has been destroyed, the international watchdog says.Syria's declared equipment for producing, mixing and filling chemical weapons has been destroyed, the international watchdog says.
This comes a day before the deadline set by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).This comes a day before the deadline set by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Inspectors were sent to Syria following allegations that government forces had used chemical weapons in civilian areas, killing hundreds of people.Inspectors were sent to Syria following allegations that government forces had used chemical weapons in civilian areas, killing hundreds of people.
The government denies the accusations and blames rebel forces.The government denies the accusations and blames rebel forces.
The inspections were agreed between Russia and the US after Washington threatened to use force in Syria.The inspections were agreed between Russia and the US after Washington threatened to use force in Syria.
ArsenalArsenal
Now that the equipment has been put beyond use, Syria has until mid-2014 to destroy the chemical weapons themselves.Now that the equipment has been put beyond use, Syria has until mid-2014 to destroy the chemical weapons themselves.
Its arsenal is believed to include more than 1,000 tonnes of the nerve gas sarin, the blister agent sulphur mustard and other banned chemicals, stored at dozens of sites.Its arsenal is believed to include more than 1,000 tonnes of the nerve gas sarin, the blister agent sulphur mustard and other banned chemicals, stored at dozens of sites.
"We have personally observed all the destruction activities," OPCW head of field operations Jerry Smith told the BBC."We have personally observed all the destruction activities," OPCW head of field operations Jerry Smith told the BBC.
"They are not now in a position to conduct any further production or mixing of chemical weapons.""They are not now in a position to conduct any further production or mixing of chemical weapons."
In a statement, the OPCW said its teams had inspected 21 of the 23 chemical weapons sites in Syria.In a statement, the OPCW said its teams had inspected 21 of the 23 chemical weapons sites in Syria.
The other two were too dangerous to visit but the equipment had already been moved to some of the other sites, it said.The other two were too dangerous to visit but the equipment had already been moved to some of the other sites, it said.
Mr Smith said that verifying the destruction of Syria's weapons production capability had been a "particularly challenging job" because it had to be done in the midst of a conflict, with a tight deadline.Mr Smith said that verifying the destruction of Syria's weapons production capability had been a "particularly challenging job" because it had to be done in the midst of a conflict, with a tight deadline.
The OPCW earlier this month won the Nobel Peace Prize but Mr Smith said his team had been too busy to celebrate because of their work in Syria.The OPCW earlier this month won the Nobel Peace Prize but Mr Smith said his team had been too busy to celebrate because of their work in Syria.
The US says more than 1,400 people were killed during a nerve agent attack in Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus on 21 August. The weapons watchdog and the Syrian government now have a further two weeks to agree a timetable for the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile.
Syria and Russia believe rebel groups were responsible for the attack. The US says more than 1,400 people were killed when government forces used a nerve agent to attack Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus on 21 August.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian allies have said rebel groups were responsible.
The OPCW announcement comes as human rights group Amnesty International says that hundreds of Syrian refugees are being turned away at the borders of Jordan and other countries.The OPCW announcement comes as human rights group Amnesty International says that hundreds of Syrian refugees are being turned away at the borders of Jordan and other countries.
Jordan has denied the accusation, saying its border is open to Syrian refugees.Jordan has denied the accusation, saying its border is open to Syrian refugees.
More than 100,000 people have been killed in the fighting that has ravaged Syria for two-and-a-half years, according to the UN.More than 100,000 people have been killed in the fighting that has ravaged Syria for two-and-a-half years, according to the UN.
A further two million people have fled Syria and some 4.5 million have been displaced internally.A further two million people have fled Syria and some 4.5 million have been displaced internally.