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Syria chemical weapons: Security 'slows transport' Syria chemical weapons: Security 'slows transport'
(35 minutes later)
The UN body tasked with removing and destroying Syria's chemical arsenal says security concerns have slowed down the process. The head of the UN body tasked with removing and destroying Syria's chemical arsenal says the process has been slowed down by security concerns.
Ahmet Uzumcu, who heads the organisation, said the amount of chemicals that had reached the Syrian port of Latakia ready to leave the country was not that high. Ahmet Uzumcu said the amount of chemicals transported to the Syrian port of Latakia for shipping so far was not that high.
But he expressed confidence the arms would be destroyed by the end of June.But he expressed confidence the arms would be destroyed by the end of June.
There are plans to speed up the process.
Removing the most dangerous chemicals is the first step of a UN-backed deal to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal.Removing the most dangerous chemicals is the first step of a UN-backed deal to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal.
Most dangerous The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) set a deadline of 31 March for this first stage, with all Syria's chemical arms stockpile to be destroyed by 30 June.
Mr Uzumcu, who leads the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), said the delays were due to technical problems and the obvious difficulties of operating in a warzone. Mr Uzumcu said the delays were due to technical problems and the obvious difficulties of operating in a warzone.
But he said additional measures had been put in place to help smooth the transportation.But he said additional measures had been put in place to help smooth the transportation.
The OPCW would "do our best to meet" the end of June deadline for chemical weapons elimination, Mr Uzumcu added. The OPCW would "do our best to meet" the end of June deadline, he added.
The organisation set a deadline of 31 March 2014 to destroy Syria's most dangerous chemical weapons, and all of its chemical arms stockpile by 30 June. Mr Uzumcu was speaking in Rome, where he sought to calm local concerns about plans an Italian port will play a part in the operation.
Mr Uzumcu was speaking in Rome, where he sought to calm local concerns about plans for an as yet unnamed Italian port to play a part in the operation. The port has not been named, but Italy's government is widely expected to announce later on Thursday that it is Gioia Tauro, in the far south.
Cargo ships
Denmark and Norway are providing cargo ships and military escorts to take the chemicals to the Italian port where the "most critical" chemical agents will be loaded onto a US Maritime Administration cargo ship, MV Cape Ray.
The plan is that the materials will then be destroyed by a process known as hydrolysis in international waters.
The Syrian authorities are responsible for packing and safely transporting the chemical weapons to Latakia.The Syrian authorities are responsible for packing and safely transporting the chemical weapons to Latakia.
It was hoped that several hundred tonnes of the most dangerous Syrian chemical agents would have been removed by now, says the BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome. Denmark and Norway are providing cargo ships and military escorts to take them to Italy, where they will be loaded onto a US Maritime Administration cargo ship, MV Cape Ray.
But so far only a fraction of the stockpile has been collected and stored aboard a Danish ship, our correspondent adds. The materials will then be destroyed by a process known as hydrolysis in international waters.
It had been hoped that several hundred tonnes of the most dangerous raw materials would have been removed by now, says the BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome, but so far only a fraction of the stockpile has been collected.
International outrageInternational outrage
Syria continues to be ravaged by the conflict which began with the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011.Syria continues to be ravaged by the conflict which began with the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011.
The decision on Syria's chemical weapons stockpile arose from confirmation of a sarin attack in Damascus on 21 August.The decision on Syria's chemical weapons stockpile arose from confirmation of a sarin attack in Damascus on 21 August.
It killed hundreds, provoked international outrage and led to a US-Russia deal to destroy the weapons.It killed hundreds, provoked international outrage and led to a US-Russia deal to destroy the weapons.
The UN says more than 100,000 people have died since the Syrian conflict began. An estimated two million people have fled Syria and some 6.5 million have been displaced internally.The UN says more than 100,000 people have died since the Syrian conflict began. An estimated two million people have fled Syria and some 6.5 million have been displaced internally.
Government officials are due to attend peace talks - known as Geneva II - in Switzerland next week.Government officials are due to attend peace talks - known as Geneva II - in Switzerland next week.
However, the main opposition alliance, the National Coalition, has still not decided whether or not to take part.However, the main opposition alliance, the National Coalition, has still not decided whether or not to take part.
It is due to meet in Istanbul for a vote on Friday amid growing pressure from the West.It is due to meet in Istanbul for a vote on Friday amid growing pressure from the West.
How the plan will unfoldHow the plan will unfold