Syrian Defence Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra met on Tuesday with Sabrina Dallafior, Director‑General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), to review Syria’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the remnants of its chemical weapons programme and the Defence Ministry’s role in advancing that process.
In a statement released on its official social media channels, the Defence Ministry said the discussions focused on the measures taken to address the remaining elements of Syria’s former chemical arsenal and the technical steps required to ensure its complete removal.
Shibani Holds Talks with OPCW Chief in Damascus
The meeting followed earlier talks in Damascus between Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Dallafior. Their discussions centred on the requirements for bringing Syria’s chemical weapons file to a definitive close and ensuring accountability for those responsible for chemical attacks carried out during the rule of the ousted regime.
At a joint press conference, Shibani reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to full cooperation with the OPCW. He said the authorities had granted access to sites, records and witnesses, provided more than 100,000 official documents, and taken steps to correct gaps in the declaration inherited from the former regime.
Shibani also disclosed that 18 suspects, including senior military officers, are currently in detention and facing proceedings before a specialised court. He confirmed that Syria has joined the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons.
The foreign minister stressed that closing the chemical weapons file requires more than technical compliance. It also demands justice for the victims of chemical attacks, accountability for perpetrators and guarantees that such weapons will never be used again.
Dallafior welcomed the progress Syria has made, reaffirming the OPCW’s commitment to providing technical support, investigating past chemical attacks, gathering evidence and identifying those responsible, with the ultimate aim of bringing the file to a final and conclusive end.
A Broader Effort to Resolve the Chemical Weapons Issue
The talks form part of Syria’s wider cooperation with the OPCW to settle the chemical weapons issue once and for all. These efforts include developing an action plan with a clear timetable for addressing outstanding matters, identifying and securing sites linked to the former chemical weapons programme, and destroying any remaining chemical agents or munitions.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
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