Chemical weapon inspectors unable to reach two Syrian sites

United Nations (U.N.) vehicles are parked in front of the Four Seasons hotel, where a team of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) are staying, in downtown Damascus October 22, 2013. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

AMSTERDAM/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Safety concerns have prevented inspectors from a global chemical weapons watchdog from reaching two of the 23 sites declared by Syria as part of an agreement to destroy its toxic arsenal, the organisation said on Monday.

The Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had verified 21 sites up to October 27, the deadline agreed as part of Syria's destruction programme.