Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

UN: Convincing evidence of Syria chemical attack

UNITED NATIONS — UN inspectors said yesterday there was “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.

UN chemical weapons experts prepare before collecting samples from one of the sites of the alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus late last month. Photo: Reuters

UN chemical weapons experts prepare before collecting samples from one of the sites of the alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus late last month. Photo: Reuters

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

UNITED NATIONS — UN inspectors said yesterday there was “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 findings represent the first official confirmation by scientific experts that chemical weapons were used in the Syrian conflict, but the first page of the report, seen by The Associated Press, left the key question of who launched the attack unanswered.

The report came as the Chairman of a UN war crimes panel said it is investigating 14 suspected chemical attacks in Syria, dramatically escalating the stakes after diplomatic breakthroughs that saw the Syrian government agree to dismantle its chemical weapons programme.

Chief weapons inspector Ake Sellstrom handed over the report to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on Sunday. Mr Ban was scheduled to present the report to the Security Council later yesterday.

The inspectors said “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.

“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 in the report to Mr Ban.

The Aug 21 chemical attack unfolded as a UN chemical weapons team was in Syria to investigate earlier reported attacks. After days of delays, the inspectors were allowed access to victims, doctors and others in the Damascus suburbs. The inspectors had been mandated to report on whether chemical weapons were used and, if so, which ones, but not who was responsible.

The rebels and their Western and Arab supporters blame Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s regime for the attack in the rebel-controlled area. The Assad regime insists that the attack was carried out by rebels.

The United States, France and Britain yesterday stepped up pressure on Mr Assad to stick to a deal under which Syria must give up its chemical weapons, and warned he would suffer consequences if Damascus did not comply.

The three Western permanent members of the United Nations Security Council said they would seek a strong resolution in the forum setting binding deadlines for the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons, French President Francois Hollande’s office said. The statement followed talks in Paris, two days after the US reached a deal with Mr Assad’s ally, Russia, on chemical weapons that averted American strikes on Syria as punishment for the chemical attack.

US Secretary of State John Kerry told a news conference in Paris that the three powers agreed with Russia that Mr Assad must suffer consequences if he fails to comply with UN demands.

“If Mr Assad fails in time to abide by the terms of this framework, make no mistake, we are all agreed — and that includes Russia — that there will be consequences,” Mr Kerry said.

Russia accused the Europeans of trying to reinterpret the agreement. Speaking in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any rush to draw up a resolution threatening to punish Syria in the event of non-compliance showed a “lack of understanding” of the agreement reached for Assad to give up his chemical weapons.

Cautioning against imposing tough penalties on the Syrian leader, Mr Lavrov said. “That’s not how you do business, and I’m sure that despite these statements that are coming from European capitals, the Americans will, as proper negotiators, strictly stick to what has been agreed on.” AGENCIES

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.