LOC22:39
19:39 GMT
BRUSSELS, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- Director-General of the Organsiation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ahmet Uzumcu on Thursday reported to the OPCW executive council that 100 percent of all Category 1 chemicals declared by Syria, totalling approximately 1,040 tonnes, have now been verifiably destroyed.
This includes 133 tonnes of Isopropanol previously destroyed on-site in Syria, he said in a statement in the Hague.
OPCW inspectors have also verified that 70 percent of approximately 260 tonnes of Syria's Category 2 chemicals have been destroyed as well, and in total, 94 percent of its entire declared stockpile, noted Uzumcu.
He said work continues to complete destruction of remaining chemicals at four facilities in Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States and eventually, the destruction of effluent from the vessel Cape Ray in Germany.
"I wish to acknowledge, once again, the valuable contributions made by the States Parties involved in this extraordinary effort, especially in carrying out destruction of Category 1 chemicals in a rapid, effective and safe manner," the Director-General said.
The Special Coordinator for the OPCW-UN Joint Mission, Ms Sigrid Kaag, also addressed the Executive Council meeting and praised the international efforts to disarm Syria.
Other issues reported to the Council in today's meeting regarding the ongoing mission in Syria:
The OPCW-UN Joint Mission in Syria will conclude its work on September 30, 2014.
The OPCW and Syrian Government are jointly undertaking the necessary preparations to begin destroying 12 structures that formerly housed chemical weapons destruction facilities. Destruction activities are scheduled to get underway in September.
Work continues by the OPCW to clarify discrepancies and anomalies in Syria's initial declaration of its chemical weapons programme.
The Fact Finding Mission continues to collect information to establish facts surrounding the allegations of the use of chlorine in Syria, added the statement. (end)
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