Please join me in thanking Charles Duelfer for his presentation today. [applause] [inaudible conversations] taking you now to new york city where the u. N. Security council is about to meet discuss and possibly vote on a resolution to set guidelines for removing chemical weapons from syria. It was announced yesterday that five the councils permanent members including the u. S. And russia had come to an agreement on a resolution and its now going to be brought before the other members of the Security Council for consideration. Reuters has a story on a resolution saying the major Sticking Point up to this point was russias opposition to enforce compliance with the threat of sanctions or military force. The article goes on to say the draft resolution makes the measure for removing weapons legally binding but provides no automatic enforcement of syria fails to comply. Instead the Security Council would have to draft a second resolution and we will take a look now inside the room. The Security Council meeting and watch as they all come together. Just take a look here as is the meeting comes together. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] we are live at the u. N. In new york city at this hour. The Security Council meeting coming together possibly to vote on the resolution that would set guidelines for removing chemical weapons from syria. The Associated Press has a report that says the worlds chemical weapons watchdog has approved a disarmament plan for syria. The decision late to date paves the way for the u. N. Security council to adopt a resolution enshrining it plan which will make it legally binding. Already agreed on by five veto wielding members its expected to pass easily to break a nearly threeyear deadlock on the council which has been deeply divided on syria. Again waiting here for the Security Council meeting to come to order and take a look as the leaders congregate in the room. [inaudible conversations] s [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] just taking a look at the u. N. Security council coming together, meeting on syria to talk about them possibly vote on a resolution that was set guidelines for removing chemical weapons from syria. While we wait for the meeting to begin we will take a look at remarks by Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. He was instrumental in coming to the resolution and spoke earlier today before the u. N. General assembly and he talked about syria among other topics. [speaking spanish] secretarygeneral ladies and gentlemen International Relations are becoming increasingly complex and multidimensional while developments in the world are even more rapid and less predictable. In these circumstances as never before there is an urgent need to agree upon collective responses to the key issues of today. Is solely within the power of such a truly universal organization as the United Nations to address this challenge. Moreover the solitary efforts might be productive only if they reflect the entire spectrum of views of the International Community on global challenges and threats all historical experience and all cultural and civilizational diversity in the modern world. For most of the members this approach is an axiom however there is also another tendency within which collective actions are understood primarily as agreements with the viewpoint of one group of countries. Such views manifest themselves in various areas. InterNational Security settlement of complex situations functioning of the World Economy the choice of Development Models and core values. Many problems in todays world have been reflected in the tragic situation in syria and ambiguous developments and not the least of africa overall. Russia has consistently called developments to common approach for the International Community which would combine support on their path to transformation and the understanding of the fact that objectively these processes would be lengthy and sometimes painful and it would be quite important not to harm with outside interference. To act in a balanced way and take into account the complex developments are taking place which are stressing among other things a search for compromises against the mosaic of arab societies. We have called consistently for the choice of evolutionary way and a peaceful settlement of crises through dialogue and reconciliation. Another point of view is manifested itself in attempts to determine who is legitimate or not among the leaders of the region and to impose an opinion regarding which side should be supported and Domestic National complex and detained from outside readymade prescriptions for democratic transformation. The desire to portray in a simplified Way Developments in the arab world is the struggle of democracy or good against evil have long obscured the problems associated with the rising waive of extremism which is spilling over into other regions today as well. The terrorist attacks in kenya have demonstrated the full gravity of this threat. Its Common Knowledge that the jihadist groups that contain quite a few radicals coming from all parts of the world are the most capable units of opposition having nothing to do with democracy and are based on intolerance and the destruction of secular states and caliphates. A policy which on substance either mounts military resistance in as in mali or provide support to the same groups as in syria. The use of chemical weapons is inadmissible. This does not mean one cant reserve the right to accuse all the chemical weapons by whoever that might be in syria must be investigated in a professional and unbiased manner and then examined by the u. N. Security council exclusively on the basis of fact rather than assumptions. In june this year there was an agreement of the leaders of the eight leading states. Recently a common argument has been increasingly used to prove that the threat or use of force is virtually the most effective weapon to address International Problems including settlement of National Domestic complex. There are attempt to extrapolate such a situation in syria. This happens despite the fact that all the experience of such dimensions with the use of force has proven they are an effective meaningless and destructive. This is a extremely dangerous path leading to the subversion of the debian d. Regimes. Military force to ensure ones interest in the region. Under the pretext of the remaining international affairs. All of recent history testifies that no matter how big or powerful most can cope alone with challenges faced by mankind today. There is no doubt that the leadership is required. However today it can only be collective leadership based on the agreedupon actions of the leading members of the International Community with strict respect for the principles and norms of International Law. Is it growing understanding opening the way towards achieving russiau. S. Understanding and putting International Control and subsequent elimination of syrian syrian this became possible thanks to the decision to join the convention and fulfill relevant observations with an expedited procedure. We expect the decisions of the opcw counsel and the u. N. Security council will contribute to establishing a required framework for elimination of chemical arsenals in syria. The progress in chemical disarmament in syria should give impetus to the implementation of existing arrangements to convene a conference in establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and delivery in the middle east. There are number of confiscated issues related to ensuring full participation. We know that but they cannot be referred to endlessly. This is exactly the case when true leadership must be demonstrated for the common benefits. People continue to die and peaceful citizens suffer every day in syria. Religious minorities in living the Christian Communities and are becoming victims of this conflict which is increasingly acquiring a sectarian character. Virtually the only possibility today to to put an end to this turmoil is to remove remove the deadlock under the searing crisis. We continue to work vigorously for the convening of a piece conference to the communique of july 30, 2012. We hope that following the government is syria the opposition will constructively respond to the russiau. S. Initiative. The searing crisis should not overshadow the task of addressing the palestinian problem. We expect leaders will step up to the level of their responsibility for the future of their people at this current critical stage when the parties have resumed direct talks after a lengthy introduction duly recognizing u. S. Efforts in the middle east efforts we believe is necessary to intensify the quartet which remains internationally recognized method. The 7000 the 7038th meeting of the National Security is called to order. The provisional agenda for the meeting is the situation in the middle east. The agenda is adopted. I warmly welcome the distinguished secretarygeneral the deputy Prime Minister of luxembourg ministers of the Security Councilmembers and other distinguished representatives present in this era to carry the Council Chamber tonight. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. Members have before them document s structs 2013, 575 the text of the draft resolution prepared in the course of the councils prior consultations. I note that this document contains an annex one which is the text of the decision by the executive council of the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons on 27 september. Entitled and i quote destruction of Syrian Chemical Weapons. It is my understanding that the council is ready to proceed to the boat on the draft resolution before it. I would like to thank all councilmembers for cosponsoring the draft resolution which is now a president ial text. I shall put the draft resolution to a vote now. All those in favor of containing the document for resolution containing the document is 2013 strike 575 please raise their hands. The result of the voting is as follows. The draft resolution received 15 votes in favor so the draft resolution has been adopted unanimously. This resolution 2118 of 2013. I now get give the floor to the secretarygeneral his excellency mr. Ban kimoon. Secretarygeneral. Mr. President other ministers excellencies today is the historic resolution is the first first on syria in a long time. For many months i have said that the use of chemical weapons in syria would require a firm united response and tonight the International Community has delivered. I commend the members of the council and especially am grateful for the support of the Russian FederationForeign MinistrySergey Lavrov and u. S. Secretary of state john kerry. Mr. President , sent to investigate the allegations confirmed chemical weapons were used in syria. The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice. This week the mission on the returned to syria to complete his investigations including the instance i expect the teams findings by next week. I will transmit a final report you and all Member States. At the same time the International Community has a responsibility to ensure that these weapons of mass destruction never remain as an instrument of terror. I welcomes syrias declaration to implement todays decision by the effective counsel for the prohibition of chemical weapons establishes ambitious but realistic deadlines for the verified elimination of the syrian program. Given this task in the continuing conflict in syria the United Nations and the opcw have a preliminary agreement that will be fully developed based on this resolution and will be the basis for my proposal to the council. I think director general for his collaborative spirit. We will meet in damascus on tuesday. The inspections teams will have full support from all relevant departments and offices. Todays resolution will ensure that the elimination of the Syrian Chemical Weapons program happens as soon as possible and with the utmost transparency and accountability. Ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons is a difficult task in any circumstance. In syria the inspectors who are scientists and technical experts will have to contend with the realities of the country. The success of this mission will depend on the Syrian Government implementing these obligations faithfully and without delay. This includes ensuring the safety of opcw and u. N. Personnel. The full cooperation of Opposition Forces will also be important. Both sides share a common interest in the permanent destruction of these weapons. This process will also require the active engagement of the International Community. I am grateful for the pledges of support for u. N. And opcw activities received today. In the days ahead how to facilitate the elimination of syrias chemical weapons program. I will provide the recommendations to the Security Council in due course. Mr. President , distinguished members of the council as we marked this important step we must never forget that the catalogue of horrors and syria continue with the bombs and tanks combat grenades and guns. Doesnt mean a green light for others. This is not a license to kill with conventional weapons. The violence must end. All of the violence must fall silent. We must capitalize upon the newfound unity of the council by focusing on two other equally crucial dimensions of the country the dire humanitarian situation and the political crisis. We expect councilmembers to firmly demand that the Syrian Government and the operation uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian law including the lifting of all humanitarian access. Some communities have received no assistance in more than 10 months. The council has agreed that the only way to bring peace to syria is an increasing syrian led political process based on the geneva conference from jersey convening on the conference in and syria to implement the geneva communique. Excellencies, it is time to make this happen as quickly as possible. The United Nations has completed all of the preparatory work. President assad has stated that he is prepared to send a delegation to geneva and the Syrian Coalition has expressed its willingness to engage. Our conversations over the last week have focused on launching geneva to. On wednesday i will have lunch with the five permanent members of the council. We are going to make sure that the syrian participants come to the conference to negotiate in good faith. Now today the United Nations joins special representative rahimi and i continued discussion with the Member States. We are aiming toward a conference in november. In the meantime mr. Brahimi will launch all the necessary preparations to ensure success. Distinguished members of the council, no one is naive to the challenges of ending this conflict. The syrian side busting gauge constructively towards the creation of a Democratic State that guarantees the human rights of all. The regions have a responsibility to challenge those who would actively and of mine the process and those who did not fully respects sovereignty unity and territorial intake eddie. The Security Councilmembers individually and collectively have a key role in ushering the geneva process towards a lasting peaceful solution. I thank you. Thanks his excellency. I now give the floor to his excellency mr. Sergey Lavrov Ministry of Foreign Affairs in russia. [speaking in native tongue] translator in full keeping with the russianamerican agreements achieved in september. This was a result of coordinated efforts by the Russian Federation backed by Security Councils as well as the majority of states. The leading role in the upcoming work lies with the opcw. The u. N. Will provide assistance. We believe that the will act as a professional and impartial way in stereo with full respect for the sovereignty of this country. Theres a need to do Everything Possible to ensure the syrian chemical arsenals which are taken under control only happen in a timely and effective way in a way which would respect all safety laws. We expect the opc w. Will cooperate closely and ensure true coordination pursuant to the Security Council resolution. We expect recommendations of the Inspector General regarding the organiza