UN chief says Syria's chemical weapons can be dismantled without full ceasefire

Syria's chemical weapons arsenal can be dismantled as quickly as possible, even without a full ceasefire, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said.

At a press conference, which was dominated by questions regarding a report on the use of chemical weapons in Syria, he said that the process of verifying and destroying the chemical weapons can be done expeditiously if there is a political will.

When asked about whether the work can be pulled off without a full ceasefire, the UN chief voiced confidence but also acknowledged "it is a very difficult process.