Politics

FRANCE WELCOMES 4th REPORT FROM THE OPCW ON THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN SYRIA

STATEMENT OF MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

USPA NEWS - "France welcomes the publication of the fourth report of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This report follows those published in April 2020, April 2021 and January 2023 which concluded that the Syrian regime was responsible for chemical attacks in the Syrian localities of Latamné in 2017, Saraqib and Douma in 2018." Sourec: french Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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We publish the full statement released by the French Foreign Affairs Ministry as it was delivered. "France welcomes the publication of the fourth report of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This report follows those published in April 2020, April 2021 and January 2023 which concluded that the Syrian regime was responsible for chemical attacks in the Syrian localities of Latamné in 2017, Saraqib and Douma in 2018.

This new OPCW report, resulting from independent, impartial and rigorous work, establishes for the first time the responsibility of Daesh in a chemical weapons attack perpetrated on September 1, 2015 in the locality of Marea in the North-West from Syria, which left 11 injured. The IIT concludes in its report that it has reasonable grounds to believe that Daesh units used mustard gas using one or more artillery cannons during their attack on the town of Marea. The IIT bases its conclusions on the study of 20,492 files, 29 testimonies, and took into account the analyzes of 30 samples collected on site.
"The documented and irrefutable use of these weapons by Daesh is unacceptable. France reiterates its strongest condemnation of any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anyone and in all circumstances.

We reaffirm our commitment to holding accountable the perpetrators of all chemical weapons attacks in Syria and beyond. France remains fully mobilized to ensure that an appropriate response is provided to these actions. It welcomes and fully supports the work of the OPCW to respond to the challenge posed by chemical terrorism. France reaffirms its determination to ensure that the perpetrators of chemical attacks are punished. To this end, it notably launched in Paris in 2018 the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons, which today brings together 40 States and the European Union." Source: French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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