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-28125684
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Syria chemical weapons moved to US ship in Italy | Syria chemical weapons moved to US ship in Italy |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| A ship carrying deadly material from Syria's chemical weapons programme has docked in Italy, in the final phases in the destruction of the arsenal. | A ship carrying deadly material from Syria's chemical weapons programme has docked in Italy, in the final phases in the destruction of the arsenal. |
| Danish vessel Ark Futura arrived at the port of Gioia Tauro with a cargo that includes mustard gas and components of the nerve agents, VX and sarin. | Danish vessel Ark Futura arrived at the port of Gioia Tauro with a cargo that includes mustard gas and components of the nerve agents, VX and sarin. |
| The material was transferred to a US naval vessel for eventual neutralisation at sea. | |
| Syria agreed to the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile last year. | Syria agreed to the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile last year. |
| The deal - backed by the UN and brokered by the US and Russia - was struck amid the threat of US air strikes, triggered by a sarin gas attack on a rebel-held suburb of Damascus. | The deal - backed by the UN and brokered by the US and Russia - was struck amid the threat of US air strikes, triggered by a sarin gas attack on a rebel-held suburb of Damascus. |
| Security cordon | Security cordon |
| The latest shipment marks the closing phases in the operation to destroy Syria's toxic arsenal. | The latest shipment marks the closing phases in the operation to destroy Syria's toxic arsenal. |
| The Danish vessel docked on Wednesday morning, accompanied by Italian coast guard ships and a military helicopter. | The Danish vessel docked on Wednesday morning, accompanied by Italian coast guard ships and a military helicopter. |
| The transfer of the cargo was completed amid tight security, with access roads to the port sealed off. | |
| Cranes were seen lifting large containers on to the US navy ship, MV Cape Ray. | |
| The US vessel is equipped with a plant where the bulk of the chemicals can be neutralised by the process of hydrolysis. | The US vessel is equipped with a plant where the bulk of the chemicals can be neutralised by the process of hydrolysis. |
| During hydrolysis, the chemical agents are broken down with hot water and then further neutralised with sodium hydroxide - also known as caustic soda or lye. | During hydrolysis, the chemical agents are broken down with hot water and then further neutralised with sodium hydroxide - also known as caustic soda or lye. |
| The BBC's Rome correspondent, Alan Johnston, says this process will only begin after the American ship has steamed far out to the sea - because of its hazardous cargo. | The BBC's Rome correspondent, Alan Johnston, says this process will only begin after the American ship has steamed far out to the sea - because of its hazardous cargo. |
| Any remaining waste is expected to be buried on land, in purpose-built facilities. | Any remaining waste is expected to be buried on land, in purpose-built facilities. |
| Italy's Environment Minister, Gian Luca Galletti, said on Twitter that he was proud of his country's "contribution to international security", adding that the operation at Gioia Tauro was transparent and environmentally safe. | Italy's Environment Minister, Gian Luca Galletti, said on Twitter that he was proud of his country's "contribution to international security", adding that the operation at Gioia Tauro was transparent and environmentally safe. |
| However, a trade unionist at the port told AFP he was concerned about the transfer. "This is not a routine operation, it's a military operation and we are very worried," Domenico Macri said. | However, a trade unionist at the port told AFP he was concerned about the transfer. "This is not a routine operation, it's a military operation and we are very worried," Domenico Macri said. |
| "If there's an accident, a container breaks or falls, the substances which would come out could do serious damage," he said. | "If there's an accident, a container breaks or falls, the substances which would come out could do serious damage," he said. |
| Removing Syria's chemical weapons: How the plan is unfolding | Removing Syria's chemical weapons: How the plan is unfolding |