UN formally asks Syria to authorize chemical attack probe

UNITED NATIONS - Agence France-Presse

The United Nations formally asked the Syrian government Aug. 22 to authorize U.N. experts to investigate a reported chemical attack with mass casualties near Damascus, a spokesman said.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also has decided to send Angela Kane, the U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs to Damascus, spokesman Eduardo del Buey said.

Damascus had agreed at the end of July, following an earlier visit by Kane, to allow U.N. experts to investigate three other sites where chemical weapons attacks were alleged to have taken place.

"The secretary-general believes that the incidents reported yesterday need to be investigated without delay," del Buey said in a statement.

"The secretary-general now calls for the mission, presently in Damascus, to be granted permission and access to swiftly investigate the incident which occurred on the morning of 21 August 2013.

"A formal request is being sent by the United Nations to the government of Syria in this regard. He expects to receive a positive response without delay," del Buey said.

The U.N. chief also called for a cessation of hostilities so humanitarian aid could reach the victims of the fighting.

The U.N. spokesman gave no details on when Kane would travel. U.N. officials said the head of the U.N. experts team in Damascus, Ake Sellstrom of Sweden, has already begun negotiations with the Syrian authorities.

The UN Security Council on Aug. 21 supported the U.N. demand for an investigation, stressing that a "thorough, impartial and prompt investigation" was needed to shed light on the incident.