Syria: UN chief ‘shocked’ by new allegations of chemical weapons use
August 22, 2013: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his shock at reports of
alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria’s Damascus suburbs on Wednesday, as a United
Nations team continues to investigate the matter in other parts of the war-torn country.
Following
a late-day closed-door briefing to the Security Council on the latest developments,
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson reiterated Mr. Ban’s deep shock at reports of
chemical weapons use in Syria.
“We see the need to investigate this as soon
as possible; no matter what the conclusions, this represents a serious escalation
with grave humanitarian and human consequences,” Mr. Eliasson told reporters outside
the Council chamber.
He added that the UN investigation team is “in place”
and that he and Mr. Ban hope the Syrian Government will give its consent so that the
probe can be carried out.
“This should also be seen in the larger and broader
perspective, namely the great need for cessation of hostilities,” he said of the dramatic
situation, underscoring that: “What this incident has shown is that we must contain
this conflict,” especially given its regional implications, and now, the possibility
of the use of chemical weapons, which is to be investigated.
Stressing that
there has been no confirmation of chemical weapons use, the Deputy-Secretary-General
said senor UN officials are in contact with the Syrian Government.
Also at
the microphone, Ambassador Maria Cristina Perceval of Argentina, President of the
Security Council during the month of August, said there is “strong concern among the
Council members” about the allegations, and a general sense that there must be clarity
on what happened and that the situation has to be followed carefully.
A UN
team is currently in Syria spending up to 14 days, with a possible extension, probing
the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Government at Khan al-Asal, as well as
two other allegations reported by Member States.
The team “is following the
current situation in Syria carefully, and remains fully engaged in the investigation
process that is mandated by the Secretary General,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson told journalists
in New York.
According to the agreement reached in Damascus in July, the two
parties are discussing, in parallel, other allegations and their related sites.
“Professor
[Åke] Sellström is in discussions with the Syrian Government on all issues pertaining
to the alleged use of chemical weapons, including this most recent reported incident,”
the spokesperson noted.
He added that Mr. Ban is aware that a number of Member
States, the Arab League and the European Union have expressed grave concern about
the most recent reports of the possible use of chemical weapons.
Mr. Ban and
the Security Council reiterated that the use of chemical weapons by any side under
any circumstances would violate international law, and reaffirmed the need for a “thorough
investigation” of the alleged incidents, according to the spokesperson, as well as
a need to cease hostilities.
Also today, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said
the reported attacks on civilians, which “presumably” included children on the outskirts
of Damascus are “deeply disturbing.”
“Such horrific acts should be a reminder
to all the parties and all who have influence on them that this terrible conflict
has gone on far too long and children have suffered more than enough,” the UN agency
said in a statement.
Meanwhile, in Cairo, Under-Secretary-General for Political
Affairs Jeffrey Feltman met with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby today
to discuss a range of issues, including efforts towards a political solution to the
conflict in Syria.
The Joint Special Representative for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi,
who reports to both organizations, has been supporting efforts on a political solution
including a second international conference on Syria to be held in Geneva.