Foreign Minister and Expatriates Affairs Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani confirmed that Syria is moving, in cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), towards the final closure of the chemical file, through a clear action plan and a specified timeline, alongside pursuing those responsible for crimes and achieving justice for victims.
Minister Al-Shibani, during a joint press conference with the Organisation’s Director-General, Sabrina D’Alieri, in Damascus today, Tuesday, stressed Syria’s commitment to cooperating with the Organisation and completing the processing of pending files, ensuring the non-repetition of chemical weapons use.
Clear roadmap to complete the chemical file
Minister Al-Shibani stated that Syria, in cooperation with the Organisation’s Technical Secretariat, has established a roadmap including precise site identification, a clear timeline, and transparent standards, in preparation for the Conference of States Parties scheduled for next month. He added that Syria has granted Organisation teams access to sites, records, and witnesses, and has submitted more than 100,000 official documents. He also noted that Syria corrected the declaration inherited from the ousted regime last June.
The Foreign Minister clarified that Syria destroyed 42 declared chemical aerial bombs last August under the Organisation’s supervision, marking the first verified destruction operation on Syrian soil since 2014. He pointed out that Syria regained its full rights and privileges in the Organisation on July 9 last year by an unprecedented consensus among member states.
Justice and accountability of officials key to closing the file
Minister Al-Shibani stressed that closing the chemical weapons file is not limited to technical aspects, but begins with vindicating the victims of chemical massacres, achieving justice, and holding officials accountable. The Minister revealed that 18 suspects, including senior officers, are under arrest before a specialized investigative judiciary, emphasizing that holding chemical crime perpetrators accountable is an inherent right that does not lapse with time.
He noted Syria’s accession to the international partnership to combat impunity for the use of chemical weapons, appreciating international support for Syrian efforts and Qatar’s role in sponsoring the decisions on accelerated destruction and restoration of rights, alongside the efforts of the "Nafas Al-Hurriya" (Breath of Freedom) team led by Syria with the participation of seven countries.
Condemnation of Iranian aggression and call to halt Israeli violations
On regional matters, Minister Al-Shibani reiterated Syria’s condemnation of repeated Iranian aggression on the sovereignty of sister states. He also condemned Houthi militia attacks on Saudi Arabia, noting that recent attacks targeted Abha and King Khalid International Airports, resulting in hundreds of casualties. He affirmed that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia constitutes a fundamental pillar of Arab and Islamic national security.
Minister Al-Shibani confirmed that the Israeli occupation continues to destabilize Syria since December 8, 2024, by targeting infrastructure and occupying new Syrian territories in the southern border areas. The Foreign Minister called on the international community to take action to halt destabilizing Israeli practices and return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Tangible progress and commitment to continue cooperation
For her part, D’Alieri confirmed that Syria has made tangible progress in addressing the chemical weapons file, explaining that her visit to Damascus aims to review the file’s reality on the ground, visit relevant sites, and meet with victims. D’Alieri praised the Syrian government’s commitment to cooperating with the Organisation and granting access to sites, noting that the discussions held in Damascus were constructive and forward-looking.
She clarified that the Organisation is not a judicial body responsible for trying officials, but it continues its work to uncover facts and identify officials based on evidence, affirming continued support for Syria until the chemical file is closed and its status within the Organisation is normalized.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)