( CNN ) -- The United States has offered to destroy Syria 's `` priority chemicals , '' the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said Saturday . `` The United States has offered to contribute a destruction technology , full operational support and financing to neutralize Syria 's priority chemicals , which are to be removed from the country by 31 December , '' the group said in a statement . A joint OPCW-United Nations team charged with overseeing the destruction of the weapons began inspecting sites in October . The U.N. Security Council resolution that authorized the mission set a deadline of mid-2014 for Syria to destroy its chemical weapons or face consequences . The goal is to move the most dangerous chemicals out of the country as quickly as possible , said Sigrid Kaag , head of the joint team . OPCW approves road map for Syria chemical weapons destruction . The operation will be conducted on a U.S. vessel at sea using hydrolysis , a method that dilutes the most dangerous chemicals to a point where they can be disposed of safely . The OPCW has turned to the private sector for the destruction of Syria 's other chemicals , including common industrial ones . An estimated 1.8 million pounds ( 800 metric tons ) , accounting for a major part of Syria 's stockpile , is to be disposed of commercially at a cost estimated at $ 47 million to $ 54 million . Some 35 companies have expressed interest and are being evaluated , the OPCW said . United States still getting rid of its chemical weapons . The U.N. resolution on Syria 's chemical weapons was based on a deal struck between the United States and Russia that averted an American military strike over allegations the Syrian government used sarin nerve gas in an August 21 attack on a Damascus suburb . U.S. officials said at least 1,400 people died in the attack . Syria denied responsibility , blaming rebel forces . The United Nations estimates that more than 100,000 people overall have died since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011 . It began with a government crackdown on peaceful protesters during the Arab Spring movement , then slowly and bloodily spiraled into a a full-blown civil war . There was more bloodshed Saturday in the Middle Eastern nation . The opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria blamed President Bashar al-Assad 's forces for a `` horrible massacre against civilians '' in al-Bab , in Aleppo province . The network of opposition activists said at least 21 people died after Syrian warplanes dropped `` explosive barrels '' on the city . These were among at least 72 people killed nationwide Saturday , the LCC reported . While it did not mention Al-Bab specifically , the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency , or SANA , reported that government troops killed `` dozens of terrorists '' in Aleppo province . The units additionally destroyed `` missile launchers '' -- some of which , the SANA report claimed , had been `` used by terrorists to target residents '' -- `` and cars loaded with weapons and ammunition in several villages and towns . '' The conflict , once again , spilled outside Syria 's borders on Saturday . At least five people died in clashes between pro and anti-Syrian regime groups in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli , Lebanon 's state-run news agency NNA reported Saturday . Lebanese Armed Forces have retaliated with gunfire in the area in an attempt to restore calm , according to NNA . The clashes are one more illustration on how Lebanon is being drawn deeper into Syria 's civil war . Syrian children : Another year of horror . CNN 's Frederik Pleitgen contributed to this report .
NEW : At least 72 die nationwide , an opposition group reports . NEW : This includes 21 dead in a `` horrible massacre , '' says the group . The U.S. has offered to destroy Syria 's `` priority chemicals '' Private companies are vying to destroy the more common chemicals .