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Envoy: Russian experts may participate in UN Syria chemical weapons probe

The United Nations Security Council has approved Ban Ki-moon’s recommendations to establish a joint investigative mechanism aimed at identifying those responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria

Vitaly Churkin AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Vitaly Churkin

© AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

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Mission to investigate chemical attacks to have limited presence in Syria — UN

UNITED NATIONS, September 11. /TASS/. Russia hopes its experts will be included in a joint mission of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) tasked with investigating chemical weapons attacks in Syria, Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said on Thursday.

"We expect our expert will take part in the work. Probably, even not a single one," Churkin told TASS.

The United Nations Security Council has approved Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s recommendations to establish a joint investigative mechanism aimed at identifying those responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria Russia's ambassador to the UN said on Thursday.

"We have sent a letter today to the secretary-general in which we have taken note of the two letters from him. Now, practical work will start to create this mechanism," ambassador Vitaly Churkin told TASS.

Ban's press office confirmed on Thursday receipt of the letter, authorizing the secretary-general’s recommendations for the joint inquiry by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The press office said in a statement Ban welcomed the approval and would, "without delay, undertake all steps, measures and arrangements necessary for the speedy establishment and full functioning" of the investigative body.

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