Syrian govt ready to cooperate with UN experts in chemical attack probe - Moscow

Syrian govt ready to cooperate with UN experts in chemical attack probe - Moscow

A handout image released by the Syrian opposition's Shaam News Network shows smoke above buildings following what Syrian rebels claim to be a toxic gas attack by pro-government forces in eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus on August 21, 2013. (AFP Photo/Shaam News Network)

Speaking on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich said Moscow hopes that UN experts will conduct “objective investigation of all possible cases of use of chemical weapons on Syrian territory.”The Syrian government is ready for “maximum” cooperation with UN experts working to clarify the alleged use of chemical weapons in attacks, Russia’s Foreign Ministry says. The UN has requested access to Damascus suburbs to be granted “without delays”.

"We hope that the results will clarify the issue and will help to dispel numerous speculations around the alleged use of the Syrian chemical weapons that simultaneously create a positive background for the moves towards the start of the political process of settlement of the Syrian crisis", he said.

The statement comes the day after a gas attack was reported by opposition activists in the capital, Damascus, killing according to various reports from dozens up to 1,300. However, according to Lukashevich no one has a confirmed data on the number of killed. 

While rebel groups blamed the incident on President Bashar Assad's forces, the government suspects it was carried out by opposition to draw international attention to their cause.

The attack coincided with the visit of UN observers, coming to the country to investigate previous cases of chemical attacks in the war-torn country. 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the Syrian government to allow a UN team, led by Swedish scientist Ake Sellstrom, to visit the site in the Damascus suburbs.  

"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," Ban’s office said in a statement. 

UN human rights chief, Navi Pillay, also said that allegations of the use of chemical weapons are“exceptionally grave and need to be comprehensively proved or disproved as soon as is humanly possible". 

France has called on the international community to respond with force if it is proved true that the Syrian government was behind Wednesday’s chemical attack on civilians.  

Speaking during a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary General, French President, Francois Hollande denounced “the likely use of chemical weapons" on the night of August 20-21