UN will investigate ‘chemical weapons attack’ in Syria

He said the investigation would look into the Syria government’s allegation of a chemical weapons attack, which Damascus blamed on rebels.

The rebels blamed regime forces for Tuesday’s attack on Khan al-Assal village in northern Aleppo province and the Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition group, also demanded an international investigation.

Syria’s state-run news agency reported that 25 people were killed in the alleged chemical attack on the village.

It said 86 people were wounded, some critically, and published pictures of children and others on stretchers in what appeared to be a hospital ward.

Russia, which supports Assad in the civil war, has backed the claims of a chemical attack. However, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US was looking carefully at all allegations but the Obama administration was “deeply sceptical” of any claims from Assad’s regime.

The UN secretary-general said he was aware of “other allegations of similar cases involving the reported use of chemical weapons” but did not make clear whether these would be part of the investigation.

France’s UN Ambassador Gerard Araud said on Wednesday the Syrian National Coalition had alleged there was a second chemical weapons attack on Tuesday in the Damascus area which should be investigated as well.

Mr Ban said he hoped the investigation, to start as “soon as practically possible”, “would contribute to ensuring the safety and security of chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria”. He said full co-operation from all parties would be essential and stressed this included “unfettered access.”

Mr Ban said his senior advisers were working to set up an investigation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons which oversees the chemical weapons convention and the World Health Organisation. He said issues to be decided include the overall mandate, the composition and operational conditions including safety and security.

Syria’s policy has been not to confirm or deny if it has chemical weapons. But in July, a foreign ministry spokesman said it would only use chemical or biological weapons in case of foreign attack, not against its own people.

However,the regime is believed to possess nerve agents as well as mustard gas.