United Nations Security Council Voted to Eliminate Syria's Chemical Weapons

The United Nations Security Council on 27 September 2013 approved unanimously a resolution with binding obligations on the Syrian government to eliminate its chemical weapons.

The resolution was passed by a voice vote by all 15 members of UN Security Council that paved the way for dismantling the weapons of mass destruction in Syria.

The UNSC resolution enshrines the plan approved by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, making it legally binding.

The agreement allows the start of a mission to rid Syria’s regime of its estimated 1000-tonne chemical arsenal by mid-2014, significantly accelerating a destruction timetable that often takes years to complete.

The resolution makes it legally binding for Syria to comply with the US-Russia plan on elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal.

The resolution also asks the organisation for Prevention of Chemical weapons Director General and the U.N. secretary-general to report non-compliance to the Security Council. If there is non-compliance, the Security Council by another resolution impose measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter which allows for sanctions and or use of military force.

According to estimates Syria has more than 1000 tonnes of Sarin, Mustard and VX gases which have to be destroyed by Mid 2014.