Syria plans to conclude by June the destruction of 12 facilities pending dismantling because of their links with chemical weapons, said the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Angela Kane.
In remarks to journalists at the end of a session of the Security Council devoted to the Middle East, particularly to Syria, Kane said that the issue is a main UN priority regarding chemical matters in the conflict affecting Syria since 2011.
Kane also referred to compliance with Resolution 2118 of the Council to dismantle those weapons, and the reports made by a group of experts created to investigate reports on the use of lethal gases during the crisis, characterized by the actions of extremists and mercenaries supported by Arab countries and the West in order to change the regime of Damascus.
Kane refused to answer questions made by the journalists, whom she told to see the reports presented today to the 15-member body.
The Security Council received this morning a document from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressing the 15th report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on the situation in Syria and the process of destruction of chemical weapons.
The said Organization and the UN carried out a joint mission in Syria to work with the Government of Bashar Al Assad in the elimination of the weapons, as demanded by the Resolution 2118.
According to the latest report, necessary coordinations with Damascus were established to destroy the 12 said facilities (hangars and underground sites) by June 2015, though some delay may occur due to the armed conflict-related atmosphere in the country.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said two Syrian companies were hired for the dismantling of those facilities. (PL)