Latest news with #OrganisationfortheProhibitionofChemicalWeapons
Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
OPCW Executive Council convenes special session on Israeli attacks at Qatar's request
The Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) convened a special session on Wednesday at the invitation of the Director-General, to consider a request submitted by the State of Qatar — in its capacity as the representative of the interests of the Syrian Arab Republic before the OPCW — regarding Israeli attacks on Syria,their obstruction of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and efforts to dismantle the chemical weapons programme of Syria's former regime. The Qatari delegation to the session was led by HE Dr Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the OPCW. In Qatar's statement, Al Qahtani strongly condemned Israel's grave policies and violations, including its repeated military attacks on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. He described these actions as a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. (QNA) page 2
The Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ukraine urges investigation into alleged Russian chemical weapons use
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is seen during a special session in the Hague, Netherlands June 26, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Ukraine asked the global chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague on Tuesday to investigate the alleged use of banned toxic munitions by Russia against its forces. A request to establish an investigation was submitted by Kyiv to the governing body of the organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). It followed Dutch and German intelligence agencies on Friday saying they had evidence of widespread use of illegal weapons by Russia along the frontline. The OPCW created a similar team in 2018 to examine accusations of chemical weapons use in Syria. The Investigation and Identification Team found that Syrian government forces and Islamic State militants had used banned chemical weapons in the civil war that began in March 2011. The United States firstaccusedRussia in May last year of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents and first used by Germany during World War One. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said last year that initialaccusationslevelled by both countries at each other were "insufficiently substantiated". Both sides have denied using chemical weapons in the conflict, which escalated when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. "Ukraine hereby requests the Director-General of the OPCW to take steps towards establishing an independent and impartial mechanism (to) investigate cases of alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine," a copy of the request shared with Reuters said. It asked that the mechanism be empowered to "collect additional evidence and identify perpetrators, organisers, sponsors of such use." It was submitted at the beginning of four days of closed-door meetings by the 41-country Executive Council of the OPCW. The disarmament body had no immediate comment on the request. At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency said, while more than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms to Ukrainian health authorities. On Monday, Britain targeted two Russian individuals and one Russian entity as part of itschemical weapons sanctions regime, in its latest effort to punish Moscow for thewar in Ukraine. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ukraine urges investigation into alleged Russian chemical weapons use
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is seen during a special session in the Hague, Netherlands June 26, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo THE HAGUE - Ukraine asked the global chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague on Tuesday to investigate the alleged use of banned toxic munitions by Russia against its forces. A request to establish an investigation was submitted by Kyiv to the governing body of the organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). It followed Dutch and German intelligence agencies on Friday saying they had evidence of widespread use of illegal weapons by Russia along the frontline. The OPCW created a similar team in 2018 to examine accusations of chemical weapons use in Syria. The Investigation and Identification Team found that Syrian government forces and Islamic State militants had used banned chemical weapons in the civil war that began in March 2011. The United States first accused Russia in May last year of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents and first used by Germany during World War One. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said last year that initial accusations levelled by both countries at each other were "insufficiently substantiated". Both sides have denied using chemical weapons in the conflict, which escalated when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDP celebrations to be held at 5 heartland sites, including Bishan and Punggol, on Aug 10 Singapore NDP 2025: Tank that bumped into traffic light lost steering and braking power due to faulty part Singapore AI cannot supplant learning, it must enable it: Desmond Lee Singapore SIA flight from Brisbane to Singapore diverted to Perth due to technical issue Singapore New Draft Master Plan could reignite developers' interest to buy land Business ShopBack to scale up its payments business as it gets major payment institution licence Asia China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals Multimedia 'I suspect he's cheating': She finds proof when spouses stray "Ukraine hereby requests the Director-General of the OPCW to take steps towards establishing an independent and impartial mechanism (to) investigate cases of alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine," a copy of the request shared with Reuters said. It asked that the mechanism be empowered to "collect additional evidence and identify perpetrators, organisers, sponsors of such use." It was submitted at the beginning of four days of closed-door meetings by the 41-country Executive Council of the OPCW. The disarmament body had no immediate comment on the request. At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency said, while more than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms to Ukrainian health authorities. On Monday, Britain targeted two Russian individuals and one Russian entity as part of its chemical weapons sanctions regime, in its latest effort to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine. REUTERS
Saudi Gazette
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
UK Foreign Secretary makes historic visit to Syria
DAMASCUS — British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has become the first UK minister to visit Syria since the civil uprising began 14 years ago, holding talks in Damascus with president Ahmad al-Sharaa amid the country's turbulent transition following the collapse of the Assad regime. Lammy's visit marks a major diplomatic milestone in Syria's international reintegration, coming eight months after rebel forces ousted Bashar Al-Assad, ending his 54-year family rule. The UK used the occasion to announce an additional £94.5 million in humanitarian and recovery aid for Syria and neighboring countries hosting refugees. Speaking to the BBC, Lammy said his discussions focused on encouraging Syria's new government to adopt transparent and inclusive governance practices. 'I'm here to speak to this new government, to urge them to continue to be inclusive, to ensure that there's transparency and accountability in the way that they govern,' Lammy said. 'But also to stand by the Syrian people as Syria makes this peaceful transition.' Al-Sharaa has led the transitional administration since Assad's fall in December. Despite international concerns over the group's past affiliations, Western powers including the US, UK, and France have begun re-engaging with Syria, signaling cautious recognition of the new government. In May, al-Sharaa met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, and US President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting longstanding sanctions on Damascus in June. The UK has also eased its own sanctions and pledged £2 million this year to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to dismantle Assad-era stockpiles. However, Lammy acknowledged widespread concerns over minority rights, democratic representation, and extremist influence within Syria's post-Assad leadership. 'It's important that the UK lean in to ensure the balance is tipped in the right direction—towards accountability, transparency, and inclusivity for all of the communities that make up this country,' Lammy said. Lammy reiterated that UK aid will be tied to benchmarks on inclusivity and governance, and said discussions with Syrian officials also covered counterterrorism, irregular migration, and the fate of British nationals detained in northwestern Syria. He also criticized Israel's continued military actions in Syria, calling on the Israeli government to reconsider its operations to avoid undermining the progress being made. Israel still occupies parts of Syrian territory and has carried out repeated airstrikes targeting both Iranian proxies and jihadist groups. Despite the challenges, Lammy said the UK remains committed to supporting a peaceful and stable Syria. 'We want Syria to move in the direction of peace, of prosperity, of stability for the people, and to be an inclusive country.' — BBC
Express Tribune
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Britain reestablishes full Syria ties as FM visits Damascus
Britain reestablished full diplomatic relations with Syria on Saturday, more than a decade after cutting ties, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy met the country's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. In 2011, Britain was among the first countries to acknowledge rebel groups as the official Syrian government after then-president Bashar al-Assad's crushing of pro-democracy protests plunged the country into civil war. London also joined sanctions against Syria and later closed its embassy in Damascus, going on to launch air strikes on Assad's forces. Assad was ultimately toppled in December after more than 13 years of fighting by a rebel offensive led by Sharaa, now Syria's interim president. "The UK is reestablishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians," Lammy said in a statement. Photos released by Sharaa's office showed him and Lammy meeting alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Their discussions addressed "bilateral ties... and ways of strengthening cooperation, as well as regional and international developments", the presidency said in a statement. The Syrian foreign ministry issued a similar statement following a separate meeting between Lammy and Shaibani. Lammy said a stable Syria would benefit Britain by "reducing the risk of irregular migration, ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons" and "tackling the threat of terrorism". Britain's Foreign Office said Assad's overthrow was an opportunity to "fully declare and destroy Assad's evil chemical weapons programme", adding that London had contributed an additional $2.7 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to help Syria do so. In 2018, the UK joined US air strikes on Syria's chemical weapons in response to a suspected poison gas attack by Assad's forces. Syria has experienced a flurry of diplomatic activity in the months since Islamist-led forces ousted Assad. In May, Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra met with an official British delegation, the defence ministry said at the time. In April, the British government announced it was lifting sanctions imposed on Syria's interior and defence ministries under Assad. It also said it was removing sanctions against various media groups and intelligence agencies, as well as on some sectors of the economy including financial services and energy production. A month earlier, it ended sanctions on 24 entities including Syria's central bank. The United States has also lifted sanctions on Syria and is planning to remove it from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Last month, Damascus carried out its first electronic transfer through the international banking system since the imposition of sanctions. The growing international backing comes as Syria's new leaders attempt to rebuild the country and reboot its moribund economy, both ravaged by the conflict and crippling sanctions. Britain's Foreign Office said London had committed an extra $129 million to provide "urgent humanitarian aid" and support Syria's reconstruction as well as countries hosting Syrian refugees.
