Ban: Chemical weapons have clearly been used in Syria conflict

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday told the Security Council that, based on "clear and convincing" evidence collected by UN experts during the UN investigation of the Ghouta incident on August 21, chemical weapons have been used on a "relatively large scale" in Syria. In his report to the Council, Ban said "in particular, the environmental, chemical and medical samples we have collected provide clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent Sarin were used in Ein Tarma, Moadamiyah and Zamalka in the Ghouta area of Damascus." Ban also said that on the basis of the evidence obtained during the investigation, the experts, headed by Ake Sellstrom, concluded that "chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the Syrian parties "against civilians, including children, on a relatively large scale." Ban did not specify, as previously agreed, which party in Syria, government or opposition forces, used such weapons, but diplomats said the reference to "surface-to-surface rockets" hints that government forces conducted the attacks rather than the lesser-equipped opposition forces. Ban, who presented his report to the Council behind closed doors, said "this result leaves us with the deepest concern," expressing his "profound shock and regret" at this conclusion. He said the experts work is not finished yet and that it will have to "complete its investigation into all other allegations and submits its final report." He condemned such use of banned weapons and expressed his belief that "this act is a war crime and grave violation" of the 1925 Protocol for the Prohibition of the use in war os asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases. "the international community has a moral responsibility to hold accountable those responsible and for ensuring that chemical weapons can never re-emerge as an instrument of warfare," he urged. He also expressed hope that the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the UN Security Council "quickly move" to consider and implement the US-Russian proposal to get Syria of its chemical weapons. A draft resolution is being prepared by the US, Britain and France in this regards. The vote is scheduled for later this week. Ban urged Damascus to "implement faithfully all of its disarmament obligations" and expressed tshe UN readiness to facilitate international efforts aimed at providing assistance in this regard