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Russia Sends Trucks To Syria To Transport Chemical Arms

Russia Sends Trucks To Syria To Transport Chemical Arms
Reuters
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By Steve Gutterman

MOSCOW, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Russia has sent 25 armoured trucks and 50 other vehicles to Syria to help transport toxins that are to be destroyed under an international agreement to rid the nation of its chemical arsenal, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.

In a report to President Vladimir Putin, Shoigu said Russian aircraft delivered 50 Kamaz trucks and 25 Ural armoured trucks to the Syrian port city of Latakia on Dec. 18-20 along with other equipment, state-run news agency RIA reported.

"The Defence Ministry has very swiftly implemented actions to deliver to Syria equipment and materiel to provide for the removal of Syrian chemical weapons and their destruction," Shoigu was quoted as saying.

Syria has agreed to abandon it chemical weapons under a deal proposed by Russia to avert potential U.S. military action after a deadly Aug. 21 sarin gas attack the United States blamed on President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Damascus agreed to transport the "most critical" chemicals, including around 20 tons of mustard nerve agent, out of the northern port of Latakia by Dec. 31 to be safely destroyed abroad away from the war zone.

Western powers has baulked at Syria's request for military transport equipment to transport chemical weapons material to Latakia because of concerns it could be used to fight Assad's opponents in the conflict or kill civilians.

Russia has been a major seller of conventional weapons to Syria and has given Assad crucial support during the conflict, blocking attempts to punish with sanctions and saying his exit must not be a precondition for a peace process.

Syrian government forces took control of a key highway connecting Damascus to the coast earlier this month, but the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has voiced concern the deadline could be missed. (Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Toby Chopra)

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Before You Go

Syria War In December
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Lebanese army soldiers patrol a street in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on December 4, 2013 as the army deployed following clashes between supporters and opponents of Syria's regime. (IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A picture taken on December 3, 2013 shows pro regime forces walking with their weapons near al-Nabak, in the Qalamoun region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, where they battle with rebel fighters. (SAM SKAINE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of17)
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Lebanese army soldiers patrol a street in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on December 4, 2013 as the army deployed following clashes between supporters and opponents of Syria's regime. (IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Journalists take footage at the scene of a suicide attack in central Damascus on December 3, 2013. (LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A general view shows damage at the scene of a suicide attack in central Damascus on December 3, 2013. (LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Syrians walk past cars in central Damascus on December 3, 2013 prior to a suicide attack in the Jebbeh district of the capital causing deaths and injuries, Syrian state television reported. (LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A picture taken on December 3, 2013 shows pro regime forces gathering around a vehicle near al-Nabak, in the Qalamoun region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, where they battle with rebel fighters. (SAM SKAINE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Rebel fighters fortify a barricade with destroyed public buses in the Salah al-Din neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, December 4, 2013. (MEDO HALAB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of17)
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A picture taken on December 3, 2013 shows a tank of pro regime forces smoking as it drives near al-Nabak, in the Qalamoun region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, where they battle with rebel fighters. (SAM SKAINE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of17)
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Rebel fighters fortify a barricade with destroyed public buses in the Salah al-Din neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, December 4, 2013. (MEDO HALAB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A pro regime soldier, holding a walkie-talkie, observes through binoculars rebel fighters' positions on December 3, 2013 near al-Nabak, in the Qalamoun region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, where regime forces battle with opposition fighters. (SAM SKAINE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A rebel fighter takes position during fighting with Syrian government forces in the northeastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor on December 2, 2013. ( AHMAD ABOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A rebel fighter from the Free Syrian Army holds a position with a Belgium made FAL rifle at a front line in the Salah al-Din neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, on December 1, 2013. (MOHAMMED AL-KHATIEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(14 of17)
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Syrian refugee children clap as they watch performance by Mabsutins, a comedian group from Europe, at Zaatari refugee camp near the Syrian border in Mafraq, Jordan, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon) (credit:AP)
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A picture taken on December 1, 2013, shows damaged buildings in the Salah al-Din neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. (MOHAMMED AL-KHATIEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman cleans the debris next to a window cracked after a mortar shell hit the French school, without causing any injuries to children, in the Syrian capital Damascus on December 1, 2013. (LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A rebel fighter runs to take cover as he holds a position in a damaged building in the northeastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor during fightings with Syrian government forces on December 1, 2013. (AHMAD ABOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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