U.N. told Syria must accelerate chemical arms shipments

The head of the international chemical weapons mission in Syria told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that the deadline looming for the elimination of the government’s toxic arsenal with accelerated cooperation is vital, a diplomat said.

The remarks came from Sigrid Kaag, head of the joint mission of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical arsenal.

“With deadline on the horizon, it is essential that Syria accelerates” shipments of toxic chemicals out of the country, Kaag told a closed-door briefing of the 15-nation Security Council, a diplomat attending told Reuters on condition of anonymity. “Time for action is now.”

Reuters