The first batch of Syrian chemical weapons has left the Syrian port of Latakia on a Danish ship "for international waters", the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a statement.

The first batch of Syrian chemical weapons has left the Syrian port of Latakia on a Danish ship "for international waters", the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a statement.

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

The initial deadline of taking the first chemical consignment out of Syria was set for December 31, meaning Norwegian and Danish ships were forced to return to port in Cyprus a week ago.

The reasons cited for the delay were “war, bad weather and bureaucracy,” according to an OPCW official.

Among the full arsenal of weapons to be transported will be some 20 tons of mustard nerve agent. It is intended that the weapons be destroyed abroad away from the war zone.