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Middle East and North Africa

UN official calls for early investigation of reports on new chemical attacks in Syria

To be able to do this, they needed unhindered access to all the spots where the presumed attacks took place, Eliasson said

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

UNITED NATIONS, September 22 (Itar-Tass) - Wednesday’s reports on an ostensible new chemical attack in Syria should be investigated as early as possible, UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson told reporters upon the completion of a meeting of the UN Security Council that lasted about two hours.

He voiced the hope that a group of UN inspectors, who had arrived in Syria to inquire into the previously reported chemical attacks, would be able to effectuate their mission fruitfully. To be able to do this, they needed unhindered access to all the spots where the presumed attacks took place, Eliasson said.

He admitted however that the current situation was not conducive to the accomplishment of the mission objectives and a full stop of violence was essential.

The Security Council held a meeting behind closed doors but well-informed sources told Itar-Tass the member-states had failed to come to terms on the text of a statement for the mass media.

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