UN Council seeks ‘clarity’ on Syria chemical weapons claim

NEW YORK, USA – UN Security Council members are seeking “clarity” on opposition claims that Syrian troops used chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus, Argentina’s UN envoy, the council president, said Wednesday, August 21.

“There must be clarity on what happened and the situation must be followed carefully,” Argentina’s envoy Maria Cristina Perceval said after the council met behind closed doors.

Council members “welcomed the determination of the secretary general to ensure a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation,” she said.

Perceval, whose country is presiding over the Council for the month of August, said members had expressed “strong concern” about the allegations made by the Syrian opposition.

There was a “strong call for a ceasefire,” she said.

The main Syrian opposition group claims as many as 1,300 people were killed in a chemical weapons attack Wednesday on rebel areas near Damascus.

Videos distributed by activists, the authenticity of which could not immediately be verified, showed medics attending to suffocating children and hospitals being overwhelmed.

“All Council members agree that any use of chemical weapons by any side under any circumstances is a violation of international law,” Perceval said, highlighting the need for “immediate humanitarian assistance to the victims.” – Rappler.com