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US says only 4pc of Syria's chemical weapons transported for destruction

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ANI London
Last Updated : Jan 31 2014 | 1:30 PM IST

The United States has shown concern over the continued delay in the destruction of Syria's chemical arsenal, which is falling behind schedule set by the United Nations.

Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said only around 4 percent of the chemical weapons declared by the Syrian government has been removed till now, the BBC reports.

Syria has said it possesses about 700 tonnes of deadly chemicals and 500 tonnes of precursor chemicals, which becomes toxic when combined with other compounds.

Almost all 1,200 tonnes were supposed to be removed by 5 February, but the first consignment of 16 tonnes left the port of Latakia on 7 January, the report added.

A further shipment left on 27 January, according to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Syria's chemical weapon stockpiles are due to be removed and destroyed by 30 June.

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First Published: Jan 31 2014 | 1:18 PM IST

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