Syria’s Military Chemical Capacity Has Been Destroyed, Says Russian Envoy to UN

The chemical weapons capacity of the Syrian military has been completely destroyed, Russian Envoy to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday.

“The military chemical capacity of Syria has been destroyed under the oversight of the OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons],” Nebenzia said.

The official further noted that the Syrian government consistently informs the international community on the issue, including the United Nations Security Council about the detection in areas liberated from terrorists, the detection of dangerous chemical substances.

 “All this should be immediately investigated by the experts of the OPCW. We note, however, that, as a rule, titanic efforts are required to make the Hague [OPCW headquarters] to react to such signals. There are a lot of pretexts and excuses not to go to Syria, decisions are delayed. Taking into account last year’s history with Khan Sheikhoun and Shayrat airbase, this behavior suggests a purposeful sabotage,” the Russian diplomat said.

A similar position has been voiced during the meeting by Syrian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Mounzer Mounzer, in his strong message to the UNSC.

“They destroyed the Joint Investigative Mechanism… when they refused to examine evidence on the ground [at Khan Sheikhoun],” Mounzer said.

Accusations

The officials commented on the recent accusations against Damascus, voiced by the so-called White Helmets on January 26. The group, operating in militant-held Syrian areas, stated that three civilians were killed and many others injured in a suspected chlorine gas attack on Eastern Ghouta.

Following their claims, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert accused the Syrian government of the attack later in the day.

Damascus has repeatedly denied any allegations on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian authorities, calling them groundless.

SPUTNIK

R.S