UNITED NATIONS, August 22 (Itar-Tass) - For effective and prompt investigation of allegations about chemical weapons attacks in Syria clashes should be stopped - both at the site of the alleged attacks and in the country in general, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Eliasson said after a two-hour meeting of the UN Security Council that was called in connection with new reports about the use of toxic agents in Syria.
Eliasson called on the country’s government and opposition to ensure unhindered access to the team of inspectors working in Syria. “It is a very dramatic situation, and the security situation right now does not allow such access. That’s why this should also be seen in a larger, a broader perspective, mainly the great need for cessation of hostilities,” Eliasson said. “We hope that the sides (of the Syrian) conflict understand it,” the UN official said.
After the UN Security Council meeting, the UN Security Council President for the month of August, Argentina’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Maria Cristina Perceval, 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. “All cases of use of chemical weapons use by any side of the conflict under any circumstances, constitute a violation of international humanitarian law,” said the Council president.
According to her, the UN Security Council members also stressed the importance of providing assistance to possible victims of alleged attacks, calling on the parties to contribute to this in every way.