14/10/2013 10:45
Syria chemical weapons: Concern over rebel-held sites
The head of the team tasked with destroying Syria's chemical weapons says he is concerned about accessing some sites in rebel-controlled areas, the BBC reported.
Ahmet Uzumcu, of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, renewed calls for both sides in the conflict to support his mission.
He told the BBC he hopes the Nobel Peace Prize - awarded to the group last week - will help their work in Syria.
Syria officially joins the Chemical Weapons Convention on Monday.
In his first interview since the OPCW won the prize, director-general Mr Uzumcu told the BBC's Today programme that President Bashar al-Assad's government had been co-operating and facilitating the weapons experts.
He said they had already managed to access five out of at least 20 factories capable of producing chemical weapons.
However, he added that some of the sites listed in Syria's declaration lie within opposition territory.
"They change hands from one day to another, which is why we appeal to all sides in Syria to support this mission, to be co-operative and not render this mission more difficult. It's already challenging," he said
"One site which we understand was already abandoned, is in the rebel-held area, so we will see whether we can have access to this site."