UN head of disarmament for Syria's chemical weapons steps down

The UN representative for disarmament who was involved in the agreement to destroy Syria's chemical weapons is stepping down, the International body has announced.

The UN representative for disarmament who was involved in the agreement to destroy Syria's chemical weapons is stepping down, the International body has announced.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed Tuesday Angela Kane's "crucial contribution" to help rid the world of chemical weapons, disarm conflict zones and stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

During her global disarmament work, Kane was tasked with investigating claims of chemical weapons use during the Syrian civil war and then helping implement a 2013 agreement to destroy the government's weapons stockpiles.

The US-Russia brokered agreement led to the destruction of 1,300 metric tons of toxic chemicals, however the Syrian regime has been accused recently of deploying chlorine gas in attacks in the north of Syria.

Kane, a German national, frequently briefed the UN Security Council on the progress of that destruction.

Kane was appointed as High Representative for Disarmament Affairs in 2012 following a long career at the United Nations that saw her work in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Indonesia, Thailand and El Salvador. She will be replaced in the interim by Kim Won-soo, a special adviser to Ban.