OPCW voices grave concern over use of chemical weapons in Syria

BRUSSELS, Nov 23 (KUNA) -- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' (OPCW) Executive Council Monday expressed "grave concern" regarding the findings of a Fact-Finding Mission that chemical weapons have once again been used in Syria.
The Council in a statement during its meeting at the Hague, the Netherlands, reaffirmed its condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances.
It emphasised that any use of chemical weapons anywhere at any time by anyone under any circumstances is unacceptable and would violate international law. The Council expressed its strong conviction that those individuals responsible for the use of chemical weapons should be held accountable.
Thirty-eight States Parties participated in the debate, with some diverse views being expressed, it noted.
Earlier, the Director General, Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu provided to the Executive Council an update on recent developments including the operationalisation of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism.
This mechanism has been established under UN Security Council Resolution 2235 (2015) with the mandate to identify, individuals, entities, groups or Governments perpetrating, organizing, sponsoring or otherwise involved in the use of chemicals as weapons in Syria. (end) nk.bs