US: Assad regime responsible for transport of chemical weapons to port safely

The US, responding to reports that Syria will not meet its end-of-the-year deadline for transporting chemical weapons to port safely for their removal, said the Assad regime is responsible for doing so "and we expect them to meet that obligation. "I would note that the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) and the UN Joint Mission cited security and weather concerns as the reason for the delay," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said during a briefing on Monday. "We always knew this was going to be a complicated process," she said. "These are target dates or milestones, and as long as we see forward progress, that is what is most important here. And we have." The OPCW confirmed the functional disablement of all Syria's declared production, mixing and filling equipment, which basically means the regime cannot take the chemicals it has and weaponize them, Harf said. "We are still operating on the June 30th timeline for the complete destruction, and are actively supporting the OPCW and the UN as we work toward that goal, she said. Asked if the January 22nd Geneva II would be held on time next month, Harf said officials were still "working toward" holding the conference.