U.N. says undeclared chemical weapons found in Syria

A United Nations official said on Thursday that undeclared chemical weapons were found in Syria by the U.N.-backed Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which deployed a team to the country in May.

Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, made the statement at a Security Council meeting in the New York City. She said the inspectors found undeclared chemical munitions, related materials and extensive documentation.

"In this month's report, the OPCW Technical Secretariat shares that, following an improvement in the regional security situation that permitted a safe and secure resumption of operations, the OPCW Technical Secretariat recommenced its deployments to the Syrian Arab Republic, in coordination with the Syrian National Authority," said Nakamitsu.

She said the OPCW team discovered a "significant amount" of undeclared chemical weapons, related materials and documentation -- including evidence of previously undeclared chemical munitions.

"The findings include dozens of chemical munitions previously undeclared to the OPCW, including the same type of aerial bombs that were used in the chemical attacks in Ltamenah in March 2017 and Khan Shaykhun in April 2017," said Nakamitsu.

U.N. says undeclared chemical weapons found in Syria

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with visiting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing on Friday to discuss relations between their two countries, saying that China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Laos.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, Li said China is also willing to deepen cooperation with Laos in the fields of trade and investment, railways, energy and minerals, the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges, accelerate the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, enhance multilateral cooperation and coordination, promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future to a higher level, and continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples.

At the meeting, Thongloun Sisoulith, also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, expressed appreciation for China's long-standing support and assistance to Laos. He said Laos will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields, and promote the building of a Laos-China community with a shared future to achieve more results.

Chinese premier meets visiting Lao president on relations