Syrian oppn says it will welcome UN team for chemical probe

United Nations: Syria’s Western-backed opposition group urged a U.N. team heading to Syria in the coming days to start their investigation of alleged chemical weapons use in a village near Aleppo where rebel fighters recently ousted government forces.

The Syrian National Coalition said in a statement Friday that it sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterating its offer of “full cooperation with the investigation team, particularly in assuring their unfettered access into liberated areas.”

The UN gave a green light Wednesday for the investigation of three allegations of alleged chemical weapons use. The decision followed an understanding reached between the Syrian government and UN disarmament chief Angela Kane and chief chemical investigator Ake Sellstrom, who visited Damascus last week.

The U.N. only identified Khan al Assal, a village on the southwestern outskirts of Aleppo, which was captured by the rebels last week and was under attack by government forces this week. The government and rebels have blamed each other for a purported chemical weapons attack in Khan al Assal on March 19.

“As the Free Syrian Army has recently liberated the Khan al Assal area, we urge the U.N. team to begin its investigation in this area and hope to welcome their arrival without any further delays,” the opposition coalition said.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said Thursday the locations of the two other sites to be investigated “are being kept confidential as a safety and security precaution.” The two sites were chosen based on an evaluation of available information which indicated “an onsite investigation is warranted,” he said.

The Syrian National Coalition said it reiterated to the secretary-general the need to begin the investigations immediately.

Nesirky said Thursday the chemical weapons experts are gathering in The Hague, Netherlands and will depart “within days” for Syria.

The mandate of the investigation team is to report on whether chemical weapons were used, and if so which chemical weapon, but not to determine the responsibility for an attack.

The opposition coalition said it is committed to upholding international humanitarian and human rights laws “and demands that any individuals found to be involved in the deployment of chemical weapons in Syria be held accountable for these crimes.”

Associated Press