Syria’s government has missed another deadline for destroying its chemical weapons stockpile but still says it will meet a final deadline of June 30, 2014.
Under a timetable set up by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Syria was to have given up its entire stockpile of chemical weapons by Wednesday.
Last week, a U.S. diplomat said Syria had only removed 4 per cent of its most toxic chemicals so far. All should have been removed by December 31, 2013 under the framework.
Russia said on Tuesday that Syria is preparing a new schedule and will make further shipments soon. OPCW spokesman Michael Luhan said his organization is awaiting news from Syria.
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mikdad said Syria is still cooperating and plans to meet the June 30 deadline.
Published - February 05, 2014 06:34 pm IST