Member states of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have voted to restore Syria's voting rights, citing political changes in the country and the new government's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations.

The OPCW said conditions in Syria had changed significantly following the end of the previous regime, adding that the new authorities had pledged to comply with their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and had already taken concrete steps toward that goal.

The decision was adopted with the support of 107 member states, restoring rights that had been suspended in April 2021 over the previous government's failure to comply with OPCW decisions regarding its chemical weapons program.

The new Syrian administration has pledged to work closely with the OPCW and the international community to eliminate the country's remaining chemical weapons legacy.

The transitional authorities are coordinating with international experts to identify and safely destroy chemical weapons materials inherited from the previous government.

In May, a Syrian official announced that raw materials and munitions linked to the former Bashar al-Assad government's clandestine chemical weapons program had been identified, describing their safe disposal in line with international standards as a priority.

The OPCW Executive Council said it would continue monitoring Syria's progress and take the necessary decisions to ensure the complete elimination of chemical weapons inherited from the former government.

The restoration of Syria's voting rights marks the end of a suspension imposed in 2021 and reflects progress in the country's renewed engagement with the OPCW under its new authorities. (ILKHA)