Global chemical watchdog gets new powers in vote

By Abdullah Asiran

THE HAGUE (AA) - The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) members passed a motion on Wednesday that will allow it to identify those responsible for chemical attacks in Syria.

At a meeting in The Hague, a joint draft motion initiated by the U.K. and submitted by 22 countries, including Turkey, was passed, expanding the powers of the international chemical watchdog.

The motion was passed with 82 votes against 24. The U.S. and EU voted in favor, while Russia, Iran, and Syria abstained.

In April, an OPCW report confirmed “chlorine was likely used as a chemical weapon” in Syria’s Douma region.