THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The head of the chemical weapons watchdog says the organization will move swiftly to help eliminate Syria’s chemical weapon stockpile.

Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Ahmet Uzumcu made the pledge Monday after U.N. inspectors reported finding “clear and convincing evidence” chemical weapons were used in an attack last month in Syria that killed hundreds of people.

Syria agreed to join the Hague-based organization last week in a deal brokered by the United States and Russia.

Uzumcu says the Chemical Weapons Convention goes into force in Syria on Oct. 14, and Damascus will quickly provide the OPCW with “a complete inventory of its chemical weapons” and production facilities.

The organization will inspect production and storage sites and help secure them ahead of the weapons’ destruction.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.