UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- A fact-finding mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) continues to look into all allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and will submit a report soon, said a UN official on Monday.
The majority of the allegations involve the use of toxic chemicals such as chlorine in areas not under the control of the Syrian government, UN Undersecretary-General for Disarmament Izumi Nakamitsu told the Security Council in a briefing.
In addition, another fact-finding mission team has been looking into allegations of the use of chemical weapons brought to the attention of the OPCW by the Syrian government.
Should the teams conclude that there has been the use, or likely use, of chemical weapons in any of these alleged incidents, the United Nations' obligation to enact a meaningful response will be further intensified, said Nakamitsu. "It is my hope, and the hope of the (UN) secretary-general, that such a response will favor unity, not impunity."
Nakamitsu said the OPCW is in the process of destroying the remaining two stationary above-ground facilities of the 27 declared by Syria. Destruction of the two facilities could be completed within two months, she told the council.
She reported progress in issues related to Syria's initial declaration and subsequent amendments. Translation and analysis of documents that were provided to the OPCW by the Syrian government in November had been completed, she said.
"The OPCW has indicated that this information provided clarifications on some issues. However, the OPCW is continuing to follow up with the government of Syria on the remaining gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies."
There is work to do for the international community to have shared confidence that the chemical weapons program of the Syrian government has been fully eliminated, she said.
