UN Inspectors: "Syrian rebels (Alqaeda & Al Nusra?) may have obtained small amounts of chemical weapons."

UN Inspectors: "Syrian rebels (Alqaeda and Al Nusra?) may have obtained small amounts of chemical weapons."(TOI).

UN inspectors revealed on Monday that the Bashar Assad regime admitted to possessing 1,230 missiles ready to be loaded with chemical weapons, according to a British report.

The regime also confidentially admitted to holding some 1,300 tons of chemical weapons in its arsenal, including mustard gas and the nerve agent sarin, according to a copy of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons report which was obtained by The Times of London.

The organization estimated, based on Syria’s declarations, that the regime actually possesses about 1,000 tons of Category 1 chemical weapons, which do not have peaceful uses, along with 290 tons of Category 2 substances, such as toxins with industrial uses, according to the London Times.

The UN report also suggests that Syrian rebels may have obtained small amounts of chemical weapons. It reveals that “Syrian authorities have reported finding two cylinders not belonging to them, which are believed to contain chemical weapons.”

Syria has sent the OPCW a plan for the full destruction of its chemical stockpile, but international inspectors overseeing that destruction have missed an early deadline in a brutally tight schedule after security concerns prevented them from visiting two sites linked to Damascus’ chemical program.

OPCW experts were to have checked all 23 of Syria’s declared chemical sites by Sunday, but the organization said Monday that inspectors have visited only 21 because of security issues. While there are no consequences for missing the deadline, the group’s failure to meet it underscores the ambitious timeline as well as the risks its inspectors face in carrying out their mission in the middle of Syria’s civil war.

The OPCW did not say who was responsible for the security problems, but the organizations’ director-general has said in the past that temporary cease-fires may have to be negotiated between rebels and forces loyal to Assad to reach some sites. The chemical weapons watchdog said it has not given up hope of gaining access to the two locations.

“Negotiations continue to try to get security guarantees so our inspectors can go in,” OPCW spokesman Michael Luhan said.Hmmm.....How long before these are used for a terrorist attack?