UN calls for investigation into Syria chemical attack

The United Nations Security Council yesterday called for an investigation into reports that chlorine gas was used to bomb Syrian towns, leaving many dead and wounded.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UN U. Joy Ogwu, president of the Security Council for April, told reporters that the allegations were raised during a closed-door council meeting and supported by video recordings introduced by the head of the mission charged with destroying Syria’s chemical weapons, Sigrid Kaag.

Ogwu said the council members called for an investigation into the alleged attack but did not discuss who must carry it out.

She proposed handling the task to Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which Syria joined last year.

The Syrian UN envoy, Bashar Jaafari denied allegations that the regime’s army used chlorine gas to carry out attacks.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the UN Security Council to take action against violations of international law in Syria.

The UN chief said in a report to the Council that “neither opposition forces nor the regime comply with UN demands regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid.” He demanded greater freedom of movement for humanitarian aid in Syria. “It is a shame that 250,000 Syrians are living under siege today,” he said.

The Secretary-General said the council should take action to deal with these flagrant violations of the fundamental principles of international law and noted that 3.5 million Syrian civilians are now deprived of humanitarian assistance and die every day as violence and extremism continue to rise.