New York

24 September 2013

Note in response to questions on chemical weapons in Syria

In response to recent questions, the Spokesperson has the following to say:

The Mission led by Professor Ake Sellström will return to Syria on Wednesday to complete its investigation of pending credible allegations, including the 19 March incident at Khan al-Asal.

As for information about Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has not shared such information with the UN Mission. The responsibility of verifying the inventory and elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles belongs with the OPCW. This task is beyond the scope of the UN Mission’s mandate, which is to investigate allegations of the use of chemical weapons.