DHAKA: The first consignment of chemical weapons has left the Syrian port of Latakia on a Danish ship.

The United Nations has confirmed, reports the BBC.

Removing the most dangerous chemicals is the first step of a UN-backed deal to eliminate Syria’s chemical arsenal by the middle of 2014.

A previous attempt to collect the arms was aborted after Syrian officials failed to deliver the toxic chemicals to the collection point in Latakia.

BDST: 2119 HRS, JAN 07, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor