UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – The process of dismantling and destroying the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal is over 98 percent complete, the UN Security Council said in a statement.
"On Syria chemical weapons, the Security Council has been briefed by High Representative for Disarmament Kim Won-soo. He has informed that the process of dismantling and destroying the Syrian chemical arsenal, as declared, is almost successfully completed, more than 98 percent" UN Security Council President for October, Roman Oyarzun Marchesi said in a Wednesday statement.
"The Council members welcomed the nomination of Ms Virginia Gamba as head of the joint investigative mechanism, and expect that this mechanism will be fully operational soon," Roman Oyarzun Marchesi said in his Wednesday statement.
According to the UN Security Council President, the United Nations will be working in close coordination with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in order to guarantee an impartial investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution in August on the establishment of the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) to identify and bring to justice individuals and organizations responsible for chemical weapon attacks in Syria.
The joint venture is located in The Hague, Netherlands. It is being established for a period of one year with a possibility of future extension.
A mission to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal was announced after a deadly gas attack killed hundreds outside Damascus in August 2013.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011.
