Saudi urges UN, EU to immediately address Syria ‘massacre’

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia urged the UN Security Council and EU ministers Wednesday, August 21, to immediately address Syria’s “massacre,” following claims the army killed more than 650 people in a chemical attack.

“It is time for the UN Security Council to assume responsibility… by convening immediately to reach a clear deterrent decision that ends the humanitarian tragedy,” said Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.

“We ask EU foreign ministers meeting today in Brussels (to discuss the Egyptian crisis) to have this humanitarian catastrophe as the main topic of their talks,” he told AFP.

More than 650 people were killed when the Syrian army bombarded Damascus suburbs with chemical weapons Wednesday, the opposition Syrian National Coalition said.

The claim, which could not be independently verified, was vehemently denied by the Syrian regime, saying it was intended to hinder the mission of UN chemical weapons inspectors now in the country.

“We were shocked to see this horrific massacre… and the use of chemical weapons that is internationally banned,” said Prince Saud.

Syrian State news agency Sana said “reports on the use of chemical weapons in Ghouta are totally false. It’s an attempt to prevent the UN commission of inquiry from carrying out its mission.”

And the army said allegations it used chemical arms were “null, void and totally unfounded.”

The Arab League urged the UN chemical weapons inspectors to immediately visit the site of the alleged attack. – Rappler.com