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OPCW: 80 percent of Syria's chemical weapons removed

Shipments of chemicals set to be destroyed by the U.S. off the coast of Italy.

20.04.2014 - Update : 20.04.2014
OPCW: 80 percent of Syria's chemical weapons removed

THE HAGUE 

Syria has removed or destroyed approximately 80 percent of its declared chemical weapons material, a statement from the international organization overseeing the destruction process has said. 

A statement from the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on Sunday read: "This development will contribute to meeting the 30 June 2014 target set by the OPCW Executive Council for the completion of Syria's entire chemical weapon program." 

The OPCW-United Nations Joint Mission had confirmed on Monday that the Syrian government had delivered two consignments of chemicals to the Syrian port city of Latakia, both of which were then taken by ship to Italy, where the U.S. will destroy them offshore.

The effort to destroy the weapons followed a chemical attack that killed hundreds of people in the suburbs of the Syrian capital, Damascus, on August 21, 2013.

The OPCW earmarked up to €40 million ($55 million) for the commercial processing of 500 tons of industrial chemicals and millions of liters of toxic waste.

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said on Sunday that there was "information" - but no firm proof - that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime was still using chemical weapons.  

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said there were "indications, which have yet to be verified, that there have been recent chemical attacks".

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