US sends armored cars to arms inspectors in Syria

[October 22, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. has given 10 armored vehicles to the United Nations to help support efforts to verify and destroy Syria's chemical weapons.

The United States spent $1.55 million from the State Department's Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund to pay for the armored vehicles, which were shipped recently.

The State Department said Monday that the Royal Canadian Air Force provided an aircraft to transport the vehicles from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to the Middle East.

So far, the U.S. has provided nearly $6 million in financial and in-kind contributions to help rid Syria of chemical arms.

Car bombs and mortar shells recently have exploded close to a Damascus hotel where inspectors with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons are staying, underscoring the risky nature of their work.

[Associated Press]

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