OPCW says investigators not deployed in Douma yet

THE HAGUE, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The global chemical arms watchdog, Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), said Wednesday that its fact-finding mission (FMM) team has not yet been deployed in Douma, Syria.

"At present, we do not know when the team can be deployed to Douma. I shall only consider such deployment following approval by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and provided that our team can have unhindered access to the sites," OPCW director-general Ahmet Uzumcu told a meeting of the organization's executive council.

Nine members of the OPCW team arrived in Damascus on Saturday.

"The security for the sites where the FFM plans to deploy was under the control of the Russian Military Police. UNDSS has made the necessary arrangements with Syrian authorities to escort the team to a certain point and then for the escort to be taken over by the Russian Military Police. However, the UNDSS preferred to first conduct a reconnaissance visit to the sites, which took place yesterday [Tuesday]. FFM team members did not participate in this visit," said Uzumcu.

"The UNDSS will continue to work with the Syrian national authority, the local councils in Douma, and the Russian Military Police to review the security situation," he added.

OPCW is investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons during the attack in Douma on April 7.

Activists, local rescuers and rebels in Syria claim that the Syrian forces used chlorine gas in the attack on Saturday against Douma, in the rebel-held area near Damascus. The Syrian government has denied the allegations and called it fake news. Enditem