First chemicals from Syria's stockpile have been removed from country, watchdog says

Syria has moved the first batch of chemical weapons materials out of the country, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said.

According to Reuters, the materials were transported from two sites to the port city of Latakia and onto a Danish vessel.

"The vessel has been accompanied by naval escorts provided by Denmark and Norway, as well as the Syrian Arab Republic,'' OPCW said. "It will remain at sea awaiting the arrival of additional priority chemical materials at the port.''

Syria agreed to get rid of its chemical weapons under the Russia-proposed deal that was hashed out with the U.S., Reuters reported.  The agreement came after an Aug. 21 sarin gas attack that was blamed on President Bashar Assad's forces.

Assad blames rebels for the attack.

OPCW said said that maritime security was being provided by Chinese, Danish, Norwegian and Russian ships.

According to Reuters, the Syrian government is responsible for the safe packaging, transport to Latakia and the removal of the weapons.