Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the
Security Council meeting on Syria.
"The United Kingdom remains steadfast in our commitment to the
complete, verified elimination of chemical weapons in Syria.
Ridding Syria of Assad's chemical weapons is a complex task.
The former regime denied, concealed and lied about its chemical
weapons programme.
Despite this opaque and challenging context, Syria is achieving
tangible results and accelerating the operation to identify and
ultimately destroy the legacy of Assad's chemical weapons
programme.
Syria's significant operational support to the Organisation for
the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' deployment in early May
allowed access to priority sites, enabling the identification of
dozens of chemical munitions such as aerial bombs and
rockets.
This is an important moment – not only has this reduced the
residual chemical weapons threat to the Syrian people, it also
provides further proof of Assad's attempt to actively deceive the
international community.
The Assad regime claimed repeatedly that it had no active
chemical weapons programme after 2014. This discovery
demonstrates unequivocally that this claim was false.
Sustained international support will continue to be essential for
a Syria free of chemical weapons.
In March, the UK was proud to stand by Syria and international
partners to launch the “Breath of Freedom” Task Force here in New
York.
This Task Force, working in full coordination with the OPCW's
Technical Secretariat and other States Parties, brings together
expertise, experience and support to identify, secure, and
verifiably destroy the Assad regime's chemical weapons programme.
It also serves as a vehicle to deconflict and direct broader
offers of support from the international community.
We encourage all States Parties to the Chemical Weapons
Convention to support Syria's efforts, alongside the full
implementation of Security Council Resolution 2118.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing
OPCW Director General, Fernando Arias, for the central role that
he has played.
For over ten years, the international community has sought
justice for those who suffered under the brutality of the Assad
regime.
Owing to Syria's efforts, accountability for those who used
chemical weapons is now in reach. The recent arrests of the
alleged perpetrators of the 2013 Ghouta sarin attack represents
an important step.
Together, we should maintain this momentum and eradicate chemical
weapons once and for all."
