OPCW: All Syrian Category 1 chemicals destroyed

All Category 1 chemicals declared by Syria, totaling about 1,040 tonnes, have now been verified as destroyed, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced on Thursday.
During the 44th meeting of the Executive Council of the OPCW on Thursday in The Hague, the chemical watchdog’s Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu reported that the Category 1 chemicals include 133 tonnes of Isopropanol previously destroyed on-site in Syria.
According to the Director-General, OPCW inspectors have verified that 70 percent of about 260 tonnes of Syria’s Category 2 chemicals have been destroyed as well, and in total, 94 percent of its entire declared stockpile.
Category 1 chemicals have been used as chemical weapons in the past and/or have very few or no peaceful uses, and thus pose the most direct threat, while Category 2 covers chemical precursors and munitions filled with other toxic chemicals and any other chemical weapons agents.
The process continues with the complete destruction of remaining chemicals at four facilities in Finland, Britain, the United States and eventually, the destruction of effluent from the U.S. maritime vessel Cape Ray in Germany.
“I wish to acknowledge, once again, the valuable contributions made by the States Parties involved in this extraordinary effort, especially in carrying out destruction of Category 1 chemicals in a rapid, effective and safe manner,” the Director-General said.
The Special Coordinator for the OPCW-UN Joint Mission, Sigrid Kaag, also addressed the Executive Council meeting.
“This operation has been an exemplary model of multilaterism at work,” Kaag said, adding "We all have shown what can be achieved when all international partners work together towards a common goal.”
The OPCW and the Syrian government are jointly undertaking preparations to begin destroying 12 structures that formerly housed chemical weapons destruction facilities. Destruction activities are scheduled to get underway in September. The OPCW stated that the joint OPCW-UN mission in Syria should conclude its work on Sept. 30.