First batch of poison gas leaves Syria

The announcement by UN official Sigrid Kaag that the raw materials had been loaded onto the ship at Syria’s Latakia port marked a crucial step in the international operation to rid president Bashar Assad of his declared chemical weapons programme by mid-year.

Ms Kaag is the Dutch diplomat leading the joint mission by the UN and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to destroy Syria’s chemical stockpile. The most dangerous chemicals were supposed to have been removed from the country by December 31, but poor security, bad weather and other factors meant the mission missed that deadline.

Ms Kaag said: “The vessel has now left the port of Latakia for international waters. It will remain at sea awaiting the arrival of additional priority chemical materials at the port.”

Security for the cargo is being provided by war ships from Russia, China, Denmark and Norway.