16 Apr 2018

The Russian embassy in Gaborone has welcomed the decision taken by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to deploy a Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) team to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons on April 7 in Douma, Syria.

A statement from the Russian Embassy in Botswana says facts surrounding the allegations be investigated without delay, saying any delay with the deployment of an FFM team will be unacceptable.

It further states that the command of the Russian forces in Syria is ready to provide all the necessary assistance to the OPCW experts, including security.

“We expect the Syrian authorities to provide the necessary assistance to the FFM team and the OPCW Technical Secretariat to inform all states parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention about the progress of its investigations,” it says. ENDS