UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations (UN) Security Council said that it was necessary to clarify an alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus suburbs on Wednesday but stopped short of demanding a probe by UN investigators currently in Syria.
Convening on an "emergency call", UN discussed the reports of chemical weapons attack in Syria.
Argentina's UN Ambassador, Maria Cristina Perceval said "There is a strong concern among council members about the allegations and a general sense that there must be clarity on what happened and the situation must be followed closely" following the emergency meeting.
"The members of the Security Council welcomed the determination of the Secretary-General to ensure a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation," said Perceval.
Deputy UN Secretary-General Jan Eliasson also said the international community hoped Ake Sellstrom, who was in talks with the Syrian government about possibly investigating the alleged gas attack, would be able to visit the site of the reported incident.
"We very much hope that we will be able to conduct the investigation" Eliasson told reporters after briefing the council behind closed doors and added:
"Dr Sellstrom and his team are in place in Damascus. We hope that they will be given access to the area by the government."
France, Britain, South Korea, Luxembourg and US had jointly called Wednesday the United Nations Security Council to hold an immediate meeting following reports of chemical weapon use in Syrian capital Damascus.
