UNITED NATIONS, (Reuters) – The United Nations said yesterday it would investigate Syria’s allegations that rebel forces used chemical weapons in an attack near Aleppo, but Western countries sought a probe of all claims concerning the use of such banned arms.
“I have decided to conduct a United Nations investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The investigation will focus on “the specific incident brought to my attention by the Syrian government,” he told reporters.
Syria asked Ban to investigate an alleged chemical weapons attack by “terrorist groups” near the northern city of Aleppo on Tuesday, said Syrian U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari.
The deaths of 26 people in that rocket attack became the focus of competing claims on Wednesday from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s supporters and opponents, who accuse each other of firing a missile laden with chemicals.
The Syrian opposition reported a second chemical weapons attack on Tuesday near Damascus. Ban made clear the focus of the investigation he announced would be on the Aleppo attack.
“I am of course aware that there are other allegations of similar cases involving the reported use of chemical weapons,” he said, adding the United Nations would be cooperating with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the World Health Organization.
“My announcement should serve as an unequivocal reminder that the use of chemical weapons is a crime against humanity,” Ban said.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said Washington wanted any serious allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria to be investigated.
“The United States supports an investigation that pursues any and all credible allegations of the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria, and underscores the importance of launching this investigation as swiftly as possible,” Rice said in a statement.
