Chemical experts begin destroying Syria's chemical arsenal: statement

The joint team of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations said here that the process of destroying Syria's chemical weapons program began Sunday.

Under the supervision of experts from the OPCW and the U.N., Syrian personnel used cutting torches and angle grinders to destroy or disable a range of items, including missile warheads, aerial bombs and mixing and filling equipment, the team said in a statement obtained by Xinhua.

The process will continue in the coming days, it added.

The international inspectors are monitoring, verifying and reporting on Syria's compliance with international demands to destroy chemical weapon stockpiles.