17/10/2013 18:47
Syria chemical arms team 'turned back after safety fears'
Chemical weapons inspectors in Syria have been unable to access one of the designated sites because of safety concerns, the world's chemical weapons watchdog has told the BBC.
It is the first time they have been unable to complete a scheduled visit, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) spokesman said.
But overall the experts were pleased with their progress so far, he said.
Their mission to rid Syria of chemical weapons was set up by a UN resolution.
It followed international outrage at a chemical weapons attack near the Syrian capital Damascus in August.
The OPCW's work in Syria marks the first time the international chemical weapons watchdog - which won this year's Nobel Peace Prize - has been asked to oversee the destruction of a weapons armoury during a conflict.
The organisation, which is based in the Dutch city of The Hague, said the team in Syria had completed nearly 50% of their work of inspecting more than 20 sites and destroying equipment.