The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to address concerns about the future of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. 

This comes after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime by rebel forces, who entered Damascus over the weekend in a lightning offensive that brought an abrupt end to his decades-long rule.

On Monday, the OPCW issued a reminder to Syria’s new authorities, urging them to comply with international obligations to secure and destroy dangerous substances, including chlorine gas.

The OPCW’s Executive Council has called the meeting to discuss the unfolding situation in Syria and to review ongoing investigations into the use of chemical weapons during the country’s prolonged civil war.

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Al-Assad’s regime has consistently denied using chemical weapons, but the OPCW has found evidence of their repeated use. In fact, it was revealed earlier this year that the Islamic State group used mustard gas during a 2015 attack on the Syrian city of Marea.

The ousted Syrian government has pledged to hand over power to a transitional cabinet led by Mohamed al-Bashir, who previously headed the rebel coalition’s “salvation government” in southwestern Syria.

Al-Bashir announces an extension of the transition period until early March. The US has expressed its support for a new Syrian government that will denounce terrorism, eliminate its stockpile of chemical weapons, and protect the rights of minorities and women.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stressed that the OPCW is responsible for inspections and verification efforts as part of its mandate.

Meanwhile, Israel has carried out over 350 airstrikes in Syria in the past 48 hours, targeting strategic weapons stockpiles. The Israeli military acknowledged it was advancing on a dead zone inside Syria but denied it was moving toward Damascus.

Source: Euronews

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