US says Russia 'responsible' for Syria chemical attacks

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS

Russia “ultimately bears responsibility” for chemical weapon attacks in Syria, according to the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Tuesday.

Speaking to media after a conference on chemical weapons in Paris, Tillerson said: "Only yesterday, more than 20 civilians, mostly children, were victims of an apparent chlorine gas attack.

"The recent attacks in [Syria’s] East Ghouta raise serious concerns that Bashar al-Assad may be continuing to use chemical weapons against his own people."

The top U.S. diplomat added: "Russia ultimately bears responsibility for the victims in eastern Ghouta and countless other Syrians targeted with chemical weapons since Russia became involved in Syria.”

Russia had violated a 2013 agreement it made with the U.S. to remove of chemical weapons from Syria, and was helping them break the international treaty barring their use, he said.

"At a bare minimum, Russia must stop vetoing resolutions on this issue.

"You will see a day of reckoning for your crimes against humanity," he said.

Nearly 24 foreign ministers and diplomats have come together to agree on an International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons.

The series of commitments stated in the declaration of principles aims at strengthening cooperation in the fight against impunity for those who use or develop chemical weapons, according to a French Foreign Ministry statement.