A spokesman for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has confirmed that the first batch of the most dangerous chemicals in Syria’s arsenal have been taken out of the country.

The operation at Syria’s port of Latakia is an important milestone in the international operation to rid Syria of its chemical weapons stockpile. The most toxic chemicals were supposed to have been removed from the country by December 31st, but poor security, bad weather and other factors have delayed the operation.

The OPCW’s head of media and public affairs says over 600,000 kilograms of "priority chemicals" were delivered to the port of Latakia and loaded onto a Danish cargo vessel on Tuesday. He also says the OPCW has urged the Syrian government to intensify its efforts so that the mission can be concluded as quickly as possible.

"Essentially what happened yesterday, which was very welcome, is the first batch of these priority chemicals, 700 metric tonnes, which are to be removed from Syria as quickly as possible - the first consignment was delivered to the port of Latakia and loaded onto this Danish cargo vessel...Certainly we are exhorting the Syrian government to intensify its efforts so that we can conclude this critical part of this mission absolutely as fast as the conditions allow...We’re happy to see that there is finally movement. We hope to see that that movement continue regularly now through the next few weeks so that we can get these chemicals out of the country as quickly as possible." said Michael Luhan, OPCW Spokesman.