OPCW accuses Syria of using chlorine gas despite promising to trash chemical stockpile

An international monitoring group has accused the Assad government of using Chlorine gas "in a systematic manner" this year despite promising to destroy its chemical stockpile.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) mission said that it had uncovered evidence that lent credence to the view that toxic chemicals like, most likely pulmonary irritating agents such as chlorine, have been used, reported he Independent.

The OPCW's statement followed French and U.S. allegations that Assad's forces may have used chemical weapons against rebels this year.

The agency also said that the deadline to destroy Assad's declared stockpile is unlikely to be met. Investigators have already destroyed 92 percent of Syria's chemical weapons but have not been able to get the necessary co-operation to extract the final eight percent.