NATO to help remove Syria’s chemical weapons December 4, 2013 - 18:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO will aid the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in its ongoing effort to remove Syria's stockpile of poisonous gases, if a request for assistance is made, the head of the Atlantic alliance said Wednesday, December 4, according to RIA Novosti. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen made the remarks following a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels. “We welcome all support provided by the NATO-Russia Council member states to the OPCW-UN Joint Mission and stand ready to consider further assistance to the OPCW-UN Joint Mission if requested,” NATO said in a statement on its website. Russia and the United States agreed a plan in September for the disposal of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles after a series of alleged chemical attacks by government forces on civilians. A suitable site for disposal of the chemical weapons stocks is yet to be found. An initial proposal to carry out the work in Albania had to be abandoned following mass protests. According to U.S. military intelligence reports compiled prior to the outbreak of civil war, Syria has around 1,000 tons of various chemical weapons, including mustard gas and the lethal nerve agents VX and Sarin. Related links:   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide  Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says.Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment.CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.”Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |
