Gatilov: Syria Fulfills its Liabilities on Chemical Disarmament

UNITED NATIONS- The process of chemical disarmament in Syria is finished, with Damascus having fulfilled all its liabilities to the international community, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Tuesday, according to Itar Tass.

“We think that Syria has completely fulfilled its liabilities, and what is yet left to be done is not that important in terms of reaching the ultimate goal of complete elimination of Syria’s chemical arsenals,” Gatilov told Russian journalists.

Western countries however continue their attempts at the United Nations Security Council to “cast a shadow” on Damascus alleging it might have concealed some of its stocks of poisonous substances. “Just yesterday, this issue was discussed at the United Nations Security Council. In response to the attempts of Western countries to cavil or find any faults, we put it straight that this situation we think that a full stop has been made in the process of Syria’s chemical disarmament,” he stressed, adding that the level of cooperation demonstrated by Damascus deserved “every praise and positive estimation.”

The last batch of chemical weapons components left Syria on June 23. Chemical substances were loaded on the U.S. Cape Ray bulk carrier fitted with special equipment to destroy chemicals. The process will take about 60 days.

Sigrid Kaag, the Special Coordinator for the OPCW-UN Joint Mission said earlier on Tuesday that the total amount of the declared chemical materials which had been destroyed or transferred amounted to 100%.

She hailed the Syrian government’s constructive cooperation to achieve positive results despite actual security challenges.

H.M