Countries urged to end use of chemical weapons

Britain today urged more countries to sign up to the Chemical Weapons Convention as Lebanon finally acceded to the arms control agreement.

The Middle Eastern state signed up to the convention, which ultimately aims to end chemical weapons altogether, last month and acceded today.

It is the 185th signatory, leaving just 10 remaining states to join, including Israel, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and North Korea.

UK Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said today: “I warmly welcome Lebanon’s accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which takes effect today.

“Lebanon’s decision to join the convention is a strong demonstration of its commitment to peace and security in the region.

“This development is a further sign that the tide is turning against chemical weapons proliferation in the Middle East and North Africa.

“I call upon the small number of remaining non-States Party in the Middle East - and elsewhere – to accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention without delay.”