Security Council draft statement (revised) on chemical weapons in Syria/ OPCW

The members of the Security Council reiterated that the use of chemical weapons anywhere constitutes a threat to international peace and security.  They welcomed the removal of the remaining 7.2 per cent of declared chemical weapons material from the Syrian Arab Republic as announced by the OPCW-UN Joint Mission on 23 June. Despite many months of delay, the total of declared chemical weapons materials destroyed or removed from Syria has reached 100 per cent.

The members of the Security Council also acknowledged the destruction of all declared production, mixing and filling equipment and munitions in the Syrian Arab Republic. They remain seized of the need to address the destruction of the twelve remaining chemical weapons production facilities in the Syrian Arab Republic.

The members of the Security Council also look forward to questions about the gaps and discrepancies in the Syrian Arab Republic’s declarations to the OPCW being resolved, and support the work of the OPCW and Joint Mission in this regard so that the international community can have confidence that the Syrian Government is fulfilling its obligations under resolution 2118 (2013).

The members of the Security Council paid tribute to the work of the international community in support of the Joint Mission in reaching this significant milestone in the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013).

Further, the members of the Security Council remain deeply concerned about the reports of systematic chlorine gas use in the Syrian Arab Republic.

The members of the Security Council commended the Joint Mission staff for their high professionalism, courage and dedication, and called on all parties to show continued commitment to meeting all outstanding obligations under resolution 2118 (2013) and to support the continued work of the Joint Mission in this regard.

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