Syria says terroirst backers hinder chemical removal bid

Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Faissal Mikhdad has emphasized that despite his government’s commitment to its obligations on chemical weapons destruction, some countries are trying to politicize this file and support armed insurgent groups that have committed the most hideous crimes in Syria.
Mikdad made the remarks on Sunday during his discussion with Chairperson of the joint mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the UN in Syria, Sigrid Kaag, on the latest developments regarding the chemical weapons elimination, Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Monday.
The two further discussed progress made in terms of Syria implementing its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and means of continuing the standing constructive cooperation between Syria, as one side of the party and the UN and OPCW, as the other side.
Mikdad made clear that the information which Syria offered to the UN-OPCW joint mission affirms the involvement of foreign-sponsored insurgent groups and those countries backing them in the continued attempts to encumber the existing cooperation between Syria and the mission.
For her part, Kaag hailed Syria’s cooperation with the joint mission, commending what has been achieved by Syria to meet its obligations.
She pointed out that the international community as well as the joint mission do realize the scale of the challenges and risks under which the process of Syria’s implementation of its obligations is going on, particularly under the current difficult security circumstance in the country.
Kaag also expressed her relief and appreciation over close cooperation with Syrian parties to achieve the common goal.