In a statement, Saudi Arabia encouraged Syrian authorities to cooperate with the chemical weapons watchdog and to carry out all decisions pertaining to the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Ziyad Al-Attiyah, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s position on the topic.

In his words, “the use of chemical weapons and toxic chemicals as weapons anywhere in the world by any person and under any circumstances is reprehensible and completely contradicts the provisions of the Convention on Chemical Weapons as well as the legal rules and standards of the international community.”

His remarks came at the 26th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which took place on Thursday in The Hague, the Netherlands, and were broadcast live.

Al-Attiyah also emphasised the significance his government placed on fulfilling its duties under the Chemical Weapons Convention, believing in its goals and based on a consistent policy of strengthening collaboration in order to outlaw weapons of mass destruction and prevent their proliferation.

He noted that Saudi Arabia was eager to assist in the decontamination of the Middle East of all weapons of mass destruction, a move that would improve international peace and security.

He complimented Fernando Arias, the organization’s director general, for his contributions to the cause and stated that the Kingdom would support his reappointment for a second term in the position.