RT: Syrian govt greenlights UN chemical weapons probe
Published time: August 25, 2013 12:56 Edited time: August 25, 2013 14:08
Chemical materials and gas masks are pictured in a warehouse at the front line of clashes between opposition fighters and government forces, during a guided tour by the Syrian Army in the Damascus suburb of Jobar August 24, 2013.(Reuters / Khaled al-Hariri)Syria has given the “green light” for UN experts to visit the site of an alleged chemical weapons attack in a Damascus suburb, state TV reports, citing the Foreign Ministry.
“An agreement was concluded today (Sunday) in Damascus between the Syrian government and the United Nations during the visit of the UN high representative for disarmament, Angela Kane, to allow the UN team led by professor Aake Sellstroem to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in Damascus province,” a ministry statement said.
The agreement “is effective immediately”.
The UN said its chemical weapons experts will start probing the site in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta as early as Monday.
Syrian authorities pledge to impose a ceasefire during the UN team inspection.
The announcement comes amidst a media build up implying that Western powers accuse Assad’s government for the toxic gas attack on August 21 that reportedly killed anywhere between ‘dozens’ to ‘1,300’ people in a Damascus suburb.
Earlier Britain and the US suggested the Syrian government was reluctant to give a UN investigative team access to the site of the reported attack because it “has something to hide” and wants to give the evidence time to degrade.
Shortly before the move, a senior US official said there was “very little doubt” that a chemical weapon had been used by Assad’s forces.
The agreement comes despite the fact that earlier in the day the Syrian Information Minister, Omran Zoabi said that Damascus would cooperate “significantly and transparently” with UN investigations but would not allow any“inspection that will prejudice national sovereignty”.
Meanwhile, Western officials stated they are considering “a serious response” from the international community if it is proven that government forces used chemical weapons against civilians.
On Saturday, British PM David Cameron’s spokesperson said that both the UK and the US have tasked officials to examine all the options.
