UN Security Council Passes Syria Chemical Weapons Resolution

The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution about Syria’s chemical weapons. The 15 countries in the council will require Syria to give up the weapons.

The vote was the first major diplomatic milestone regarding Syria in more than two years of conflict. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 15 to 0, but it doesn’t spell out what will happen if Syria doesn’t comply.

While the consequences aren’t spelled out, The Washington Post reports that the measure is still the first legally binding action on Syria from the Security Council since the conflict began.

The Syrian civil war started when the government launched a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in 2011. Since then, the conflict has escalated into a bloody civil war with no sign of resolution.

ABC News notes that Syria announced on Saturday it will cooperate with UN inspectors as they secure and destroy the chemical weapons stockpile.

Wael al-Halqi, Syria’s prime minister, made the announcement during an interview with Lebanon’s Al Manar TV. He explained, “This resolution is in line with Syria’s approach toward joining the chemical weapons convention.” Al-Halqi added, “Syria will stand by what it promised. We will cooperate and facilitate the work of the inspectors.”

The country already provided lists of its chemical weapons stores to show its willingness to cooperate. The council also endorsed a road map for a political transition in Syria, which was adopted by key nations in June 2012. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised the resolution, saying, “This is the first hopeful news on Syria for a long time. Tonight, the international community was delivered.”

The White House claimed victory, saying that UN weapons inspectors could enter Syria as soon as next week to start the work of auditing and dismantling the chemical weapons. President Obama stated on Friday, “This is something that we have long sought.”

The deal regarding Syria’s chemical weapons was worked out on the sidelines during the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly.

[Image by Bernd Untiedt via Wikimedia Commons]