Russia praises progress in Syria chemical weapons destruction

Russia’s ambassador to the UN has praised efforts by the Syrian government to eliminate its chemical weapons arsenal.

Speaking at a press briefing in New York on Wednesday, Vitaly Churkin said the joint operation by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is continuing well.

“Things are moving along… We are confident this project is going to be accomplished in a timely manner and these chemicals are going to be destroyed,” the Russian diplomat said.

The remarks follow a British media report that accused the Syrian government of hiding much of its chemical weapons stockpile.

According to a Guardian report on Wednesday, the Syrian government has missed another deadline for the removal of its chemical weapons.

The United States has accused Damascus of dragging its feet in the effort to eliminate the chemical weapons stockpile, saying that only two shipments have left the country so far.

However, Russia rejects the charges against Syria, saying the Syrian governments is preparing a new schedule and will make further shipments soon.

Moscow says a June 30 deadline to destroy the arsenal of toxic agents remains viable despite delays.

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad on Wednesday reiterated the country’s commitment to the destruction of its chemical weapons despite difficulties caused by the foreign-backed militancy in the country.

The Syrian government agreed to give up its chemical weapons under a US-Russia deal signed in September last year.

Under the agreement, Syria would have its chemical weapons eliminated by the middle of 2014 and the US would in return not carry out planned strikes on the country.

The UN-mandated disarmament operation requires Nordic vessels to collect the chemicals from the port city of Latakia and take them to a port in Italy, where they will be loaded onto a US ship for annihilation.