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Syria chemical weapons: Security 'slows transport' Syria chemical weapons: Security 'slows transport'
(about 4 hours later)
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.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 said the amount of chemicals transported to the Syrian port of Latakia for shipping so far was not that high. Ahmet Uzumcu said the amount removed so far was not that high but expressed confidence the June deadline for destroying the chemicals would be met.
But he expressed confidence the arms would be destroyed by the end of June.
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.
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. The US has meanwhile urged Syria's opposition to attend peace talks.
Meanwhile, Italy has confirmed that its southern port of Gioia Tauro will be used as the base for the chemicals to be transferred from cargo ships to a US military vessel for destruction, angering local officials. The main political opposition movement, the Syrian National Coalition, will meet in Istanbul on Friday to vote on whether to attend the "Geneva II" talks, scheduled to take place in Switzerland next week but which have been dogged by setbacks.
Fraction removed US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US "urges a positive vote", saying it was "important there be no games played with this process".
Mr Uzumcu, speaking in Rome, said the transport delays were due to technical problems and the obvious difficulties of operating in a warzone. Mr Kerry reiterated that the aim of the talks is to end the conflict by establishing a transitional government by mutual consent.
But he said additional measures had been put in place to help smooth the transportation. 'Accidents possible'
The OPCW would "do our best to meet" the end of June deadline, he added. The UN's Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has a deadline of 31 March for Syria's most dangerous poison gas and nerve agents to be removed from the country.
The stockpile is to be destroyed by 30 June.
Speaking earlier in Rome, Mr Uzumcu said their removal had been it by delays caused by 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 process, and that the OPCW would "do our best to meet" the end of June deadline.
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.
Denmark and Norway are providing cargo ships and military escorts to take them to Italy, where they will loaded onto a US Maritime Administration cargo ship, MV Cape Ray.Denmark and Norway are providing cargo ships and military escorts to take them to Italy, where they will loaded onto a US Maritime Administration cargo ship, MV Cape Ray.
The materials be destroyed in international waters by a process known as hydrolysis.The materials be destroyed in international waters by a process known as hydrolysis.
Italy's Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi confirmed on Thursday that Gioia Tauro would handle the ship-to-ship transfer, "following international standards and in absolute secure conditions". He stressed that none of the cargo would come ashore. On Thursday, Italian Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi confirmed that the ship-to-ship transfers will take place at its southern port of Gioia Tauro, stressing they would follow international safety standards and that none of the cargo would come ashore.
But the town's Mayor, Renato Bellofiore, told the BBC he was not consulted over the plan, only hearing of it through the media. But the town's Mayor Renato Bellofiore told the BBC he had not been consulted over the plan.
"Democracy has been trampled on," he said. "We are not ready for this as a population. Is there an evacuation plan? A rescue plan?" "We are extremely worried. An accident may be unlikely, but it is not impossible," he said, accusing the UN of making his town "a dumping ground".
"We are extremely worried. An accident may be unlikely, but it is not impossible."
He accused the United Nations of making his town "a dumping ground" for chemical weapons.
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.
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.
How the plan will unfoldHow the plan will unfold