Al-Jaafari: Latest Chlorine Gas Claims Aim to Disrupt Successful Preparations for Syria’s Presidential Elections

NEW YORK- Latest allegations about the Syrian Arab Army using chlorine gas in its operations in Syria aimed at disrupting the successful preparations for the presidential elections in the country, Syria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari said on Wednesday.

In a New York press conference following a UN Security Council session held to listen to the briefing presented by Sigrid Kaag, the Special Coordinator of the OPCW-UN Joint Mission on eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons program, al-Jaafari stressed the Syrian government categorically rejected the use of chemical weapon and the latest allegations about the use of chlorine gas, which, itself, is a simple substance.

“We categorically deny the use of this substance by the Syrian Arab Army or by any of its units,” he said.  

He added “Syria enjoys full membership in the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It is keen to respect its pledges agreed on between the Syrian government and the organization to eliminate chemical weapon.”

Concerning the United States’ act of supplying terrorists in Syria with anti-armored missiles and its intention to send anti-aircraft missiles to them, al-Jaafari said it is a regrettable decision as the United States is one of the two countries which initiated Geneva talks. Washington should respect the pledges it made to Russia, The United Nations, Lakhdar Brahimi and the Syrian government to facilitate attaining a political settlement to the crisis in Syria through national dialogue among the Syrians.”

“What actually happened is that Washington has violated its commitment by supporting and arming the al-Qaeda-linked groups in Syria,” he added.

Regarding Geneva Conference, al-Jaafari said the government was still ready to cooperate with Lakhdar Brahimi to resume talks “though he, as a mediator, committed many mistakes and was biased.”   

“Geneva talks focus on finding a ground for national Syrian dialogue led by the Syrians themselves away from any foreign interference and they have nothing to do with presidential elections, he added.

Al-Jaffari pointed out that 90% of Syrian chemicals have been transferred out of Syria and that this is a positive indication that Syria is very close to completing the process of eliminating its chemical weapon stockpile successfully.

 “This is a tangible progress and a clear indication that the Syrian government is meeting the deadline set for the elimination process unless possible terrorist attacks hinder the transfer process,” al-Jaafari said.

H. Mustafa