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UN inspectors arrive in Damascus to probe chemical weapons use

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ANI Johannesburg

United Nations inspectors have arrived in Damascus to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons.

The team's probe comes after Syrian Government vowed to fully cooperate with them.

According to news24, Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said that they will fully cooperate with this team and provide it will all information they have and all facilities to reach a rational conclusion.

The UN team's mission will investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons in three areas, in particular the 19 March attack in Khan al-Assal that President Bashar al-Assad blames on rebels.

The other two sites have been kept secret.

According to the report, Assad's government and the rebels fighting to topple him have blamed each other for using chemical weapons during the 28-month conflict.

 

Earlier, Assad had refused to allow a broader UN investigation into allegations of chemical use, including charges that have been leveled by the United States, Britain and France, the report added.

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First Published: Aug 19 2013 | 11:09 AM IST

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