UN says chemical weapons were used in last month's Syria attack
- September 16, 2013, 8:17 pm
- World News
- 94 Views
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 16 (APP): A much-awaited United Nations report
says there is "clear and convincing evidence" that chemical weapons were used on a relatively large scale in an attack last month in Syria that killed hundreds of people.
"The environmental, chemical and medical samples we have collected, provide clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used ... in the Ghouta area of Damascus" on Aug 21, according to chemical inspectors, who investigated the attack.
The inspection team, led by Swedish expert Ake Sellstrom, was mandated to report on whether chemical weapons were used in the August 21 attack
and, if so, which chemical agents were used - not on who was responsible.
The report, which was presented to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday evening, mentioned the areas of Ein Tarma, Moadamiyeh and Zamalka.
"The conclusion is that chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic ... against civilians, including children, on a relatively large scale," the
inspectors said on the first page of their report.
The secretary-general was to present the report to the U.N. Security Council later Monday.
The Aug 21 chemical attack took place as a U.N. chemical weapons team was in Syria to investigate earlier reported attacks.
The rebels and their Western and Arab supporters blame President Bashar Assad's regime for the attack in the rebel-controlled area of Ghouta. The Assad regime, backed by Russia, insists that the attack was carried out by rebels.
