Transfer of Syrian chemical weapons complete: Pentagon

Says the neutralisation process will take several weeks

The transfer of Syrian chemicals from a Danish container ship to a US vessel was completed in an Italian port, the Pentagon has said.

The transfer of Syrian chemicals from Danish container Ark Futura to the US Motor Vessel Cape Ray is complete, the Pentagon said yesterday.

"Cape Ray departed the Italian port of Gioia Tauro this afternoon for international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, where neutralisation operations will soon begin.

The neutralisation process should take several weeks to complete," the Pentagon Press Secretary, Rear Admiral John Kirby, said.

" Secretary Hagel is grateful to Danish and Italian authorities for their support in this process and is enormously proud of everyone who helped make possible this safe and incident-free transfer," Kirby said.