Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh

Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh, considered Thursday that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Security Council Committee's continued politicization of the so-called "chemical file" in Syria proves selectivity and double standards.

During a Security Council session on the "chemical file", Sabbagh reiterated Syria's stance regarding the illegality of establishing the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT).

"The IIT has been established illegitimately. We reject all the wrong and unprofessional working methods of that team, which naturally lead to false conclusions that only serve the agenda of some Western countries that use that team as a tool to serve their hostile agendas against Syria," the Syrian diplomat stressed.

I reiterated today at #SC, #Syria's firm position on the illegitimate establishment of the so-called "Investigation and Identification Team (IIT). The unprofessional and wrongful methods of its work will lead to false conclusions that serve the hostile agendas of some countries. pic.twitter.com/UMvT7y4MeM
— Bassam Sabbagh (@AmbSYUN) September 29, 2022

Sabbagh expressed Syria's welcome to hold the 25th round of consultations of the Declaration Assessment Team, noting that there are no restrictions on the deployment of that team. He indicated that the exclusion of one person from the team should not prevent the holding of that round, especially since the OPCW has many qualified experts who can undertake the same task.

He indicated that Syria expressed its willingness to hold this tour in Damascus, The Hague, or Beirut, stressing his country's keenness to hold an anticipated high-level meeting between Syria's Foreign Minister and the head of the Syrian National Authority with the Director-General of the OPCW as soon as possible, in line with an agreed upon agenda that would help settle outstanding matters.

Sabbagh mentioned that the Syrian National Authority has proposed to the Technical Secretariat the holding of a high-level coordination meeting in Beirut to agree on its agenda.

The Syrian diplomat underlined that Syria facilitated a visit by the OPCW Technical Secretariat to undertake the ninth round of inspection to the Scientific Studies and Research Center from 11–19 September, expressing his delegation's astonishment that the Director-General’s monthly report did not report on the eighth round of inspection, which underlined the absence of any banned activity under the Convention.

Sabbagh expressed Syria's rejection of all baseless accusations by some countries, foremost the United States, which is supporting terrorist groups that use chemical weapons in the country, noting that since its voluntary accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention, Damascus has been keen to fully cooperate with OPCW.

He pointed out that Syria submitted to the Director-General its monthly report on September 15, which included its activities related to the destruction of chemical weapons and its production facilities.

Regarding the work of the fact-finding mission, Syria's permanent representative emphasized that his country is still awaiting the publication of the mission’s delayed reports on the accidents reported by Syria since 2017, calling on the mission to abide by the reference working paper and provisions of the Convention, especially the verification ethics.

Sabbagh also expressed astonishment that the OPCW Technical Secretariat and the Security Council’s 1540 Committee insist on disregarding the information submitted on terrorist groups’ possession and use of chemical weapons in Syria or the fabrication of accidents just to accuse the Syrian army of committing them.

"That is a clear and flagrant sign of selectivity and double standards. It reflects the politicization that controls this file," he considered.