Al-Shaibani: We submit over 100,000 documents to OPCW

Syrian transitional government Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani announced today that Syria had submitted more than 100,000 official documents to the OPCW and granted access to records and witnesses. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with the organisation’s Director-General, Sabrina Dallafior, in Damascus.

Al-Shaibani said Syria had corrected, last June, the declaration inherited from the former regime, adding one production facility, two storage facilities and munitions that the former regime had concealed.

He explained that these efforts culminated in August with the destruction of 42 declared chemical aerial bombs under the organisation’s supervision, marking the first verified destruction operation on Syrian territory since 2014.

Al-Shaibani added that the discussions covered a roadmap for moving from the progress achieved to the final closure of the chemical weapons file, as well as a proposed joint action plan based on concrete milestones, in preparation for participation in the Conference of the States Parties next month.

He stressed that closing the file was linked to securing justice for victims, preventing the repeated use of chemical weapons and ensuring accountability for victims of attacks carried out under the former regime. He noted that 18 suspects, including senior officers, were in custody and facing proceedings before a specialised court.

A-H 

ANHA