(VOVworld) - Syrian officials have been constructive and cooperative in the early stages of the programe to destroy Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

A UN team examining samples from site of August 21 attack in Damascus. (Photo: Reuters)

Speaking to the press on Wednesday in The Hague, Netherlands, Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) called for a ceasefire in order to permit OPCW’s experts to work. He said that at the first site the inspectors visited, they saw some chemical weapons equipment. They are expected to visit about 20 more sites in the coming days.

According to UN Security Council Resolution 2118, the stockpiles must be disposed of by mid-2014. OPCW’s representative said the target could be reached with the cooperation of all parties.