Syrian Gov't Denies Reports on Using Chemical Weapons

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　　The Syrian government is denying allegations being made by rebel forces that the Syrian military has deployed¹ chemical weapons in fighting in the suburbs of Damascus.

 

　　Su Yi has the details.

 

　　The Syrian opposition² is accusing President Bashar al-Assad's forces of killing³ nearly 1,200 people in the chemical weapon attacks.

 

　　Syrian opposition activists⁴ have posted videos online, purporting⁵ to show a number of dead people the opposition claims have been killed by "poisonous gases" overnight.

 

　　The location of the alleged⁶ attack is where heavy fighting has been taking place between rebel forces and the Syrian military.

 

　　The Syrian government is denying the allegation, calling the reports a "dirty" media war.

 

　　The new reports of chemical weapons use comes as inspectors⁷ from the UN tour other sites in Syria where chemical weapons have reportedly been used.

 

　　Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi says the allegation made by the rebels is fabricated to coincide with the UN inspection⁸ mission.

 

　　"The military operation that is taking place on the ground is a successful one and our forces are making progress on all sides facing the armed groups. What has forced them to fabricate this was their knowing that it is the first day of the mission and this fabrication was prepared in advance."

 

　　The alleged incident has prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

 

　　UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey says UN chief Ban Ki-moon is shocked by the reports.

 

　　"The Secretary-General reiterates⁹ that any use of chemical weapons by any side under any circumstances would violate international humanitarian¹⁰ law. And the president of the Security Council has invited council members to informal consultations¹¹ of the whole at 3pm this afternoon in connection with the Middle East, Syria."

 

　　The US, UK and France are calling for an immediate¹² investigation¹³ by UN inspectors already on the ground, while Russia is urging an "objective" inquiry¹⁴, saying it could be a "provocation¹⁵" of the rebels to discredit¹⁶ Assad.

 

　　The US and European Union have been expressing concerns about what might happen to the chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria if the government of Bashar al-Assad does fall.

 

　　Washington has also warned the Syrian forces' usage of chemical weapons will be "a red line".

 

　　The Syrian government and the rebels have been accusing one-another of being behind a number of chemical weapons attacks.

 

　　Alongside with the rebel allegations, the Syrian government is accusing Turkey of supplying sarin gas to rebel forces in their battle for a town in northern Syria.

 

　　For CRI, I'm Su Yi.

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