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US Concerned Extremists Could Get Undeclared Syrian Chemical Weapons


U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power speaks during the Civil Society Forum as part of the 2014 U.S. Africa Summit in Washington, Aug. 4, 2014.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power speaks during the Civil Society Forum as part of the 2014 U.S. Africa Summit in Washington, Aug. 4, 2014.

United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power says the U.S. is concerned that extremists could get their hands on any undeclared chemical weapons in Syria.

Power said Thursday one can only imagine what would happen if the militants who have carried out "vile acts" get a chemical bomb

Power spoke after the U.N. Security Council heard a briefing by the head of the U.N. mission overseeing Syrian's chemical weapons destruction, Sigrid Kaag.

Kaag told the Council that 96 percent of Syria's declared stockpile has been destroyed, including all of the so-called priority chemicals. But she said there are what she called discrepancies and questions about what the Syrians declared. She said she is heading back to Damascus.

Syria agreed last year to give up its chemical weapons to the United Nations to avoid likely U.S. airstrikes in reaction to a deadly chemical attack on civilians in Damascus.

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