Syrian government denies conducting chemical attacks

 Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdaddismissed Wednesday what he called as 'groundless allegations' the use of toxic gasagainst armed groups in Syria.According to the Syrian private news agency Champress, the diplomat made theremarks during a meeting with special coordinator of the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the UnitedNations, Sigrid KaagThe current progress made on the disposal of chemical weapons was achieved onlythrough the Syrian regime flexibility with OPCW, the Syrian official said.The Syrian regime was accused earlier in April of using chlorine gas in attacking theopposition-held area of Kafr Zaita in Hama province.Mekdad urged the international community to push for creating a Weapons of MassDestruction Free Zone (WMDFZ) in the Middle East.On Tuesday, the OPCW said that Syria has removed 86.5 percent of its total chemicalweapons.