World Bulletin/News Desk

After a dramatic month of diplomacy, on Friday night, in a open UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting – 15 members voted unanimously in favor of the resolution that will put Syrian chemical weapons under the international supervision – and ultimately to be completely destroyed.

Earlier the Executive Committee of OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) meeting in the Netherlands, adopted its measure by consensus also in about 10 minutes. That opened the way for the Security Council in New York to hold its vote on Friday night.

The voice of unity

Diplomats gathered at the UN Security chamber shortly after 8 p.m. as it was announced earlier from the council’s protocol. They went to vote almost immediately and – expeditiously adopted the resolution as a final sign of UN diplomatic unity.

The resolution requires the Syrian government to comply with a demand-map of OPCW  which will work in concert with the UN Secretariat for the application of the resolution’s provisions.

According to the copy of the resolution obtained by AA prior to vote at the UNSC – the director general of the OPCW and the UN Secretary General report Syrian noncompliance to the Security Council. In the event of noncompliance, the council would impose measures under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter.

Yet, the adopted resolution did not authorize the automatic use of force if Syria, as was previously sought by the United States.

In fact, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed in his address to the council – that for any punishment measures if Syria does not comply – the new resolution and new vote – under Chapter 7 – will be required.

Kerry prized Obama and Putin

This adopted resolution is a direct result of US – Russian agreement hammered earlier this month in Geneva, now -- backed by all other 13 members of the council.

Speaking after the resolution adoption, the US Secretary of State John Kerry prized both President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin for the realization of this extraordinary diplomatic deal.

But Kerry said that diplomacy worked because it was backed by the serious threat by military force against Syrian regime. US Secretary of State stressed -- there will be consequences - should regime in Syria fail to act:

“Progress will be reported to the Security Council frequently, and in a event of non compliance the council will impose measures under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter”, Kerry said.

For the first time in history, Kerry added - one nation’s chemical weapons capability could be eliminated by the peaceful means. “And in this case – specifically Syrian’s,” Kerry added.

Inspection goes to Syria by November

US Secretary of State said international inspectors will be dispatched to the places where Syrian chemical weapons are stored to start their their work by November.

“Under the terms of agreement those weapons will be removed and destroyed by the mid of next year,” Kerry confirmed. 

Addressing the council after the vote UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said this is historic resolution.

After a long and exhausting diplomacy, finally the “international community has delivered,” Mr. Ban added.

"Today's resolution will ensure the elimination of the Syria chemical weapons program happens as soon as possible and with the utmost transparency," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

UN chief explained that World Organization and OPCW will further explore how to facilitate the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program.

“I will provide recommendations to the Security Council in due course,” the UN Secretary General announced.

Beside, the Secretary General of the UN repeated the horrors and crimes in Syria should not be forgotten, and the perpetrators should face legal consequences.

“A red light for one form of weapons does not mean a green light for others. This is not a license to kill with conventional weapons,” he said. 

Political process now in sight

The adopted resolution, as the UN Secretary General suggested also paved the way of Geneva 2 political process.

“We are aiming for a conference in mid-November,” he said. Ban said in the UNSC that his special envoy on Syria Lakhdar Brahimi – in that regard “will launch all necessary preparations to ensure success,”

Ban reminded, that on Wednesday, at his working lunch with the Foreign Ministers of the five permanent members of the Council, they all agreed to make sure that the Syrian participants come to the Conference “to negotiate in good faith.”

He also mentioned -- Bashar al-Assad has stated that he is prepared to send a delegation to Geneva, and the Syrian National Coalition showed its readiness to engage too, Ban said. 

Secretary General of the United Nations also went to say in the UNSC that the “regional actors have a responsibility to challenge those who will actively undermine the process and those who do not fully respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.”