Syrian ‘Proof’ of Rebel Chemical Use

{{Syria has given Russia new “material evidence” that opposition fighters in the Syrian conflict have used chemical weapons, a Russian minister has said.}}

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also said a report by UN inspectors on the alleged use of chemical weapons was “politicised, biased and one-sided”.

He said the inspectors had only looked at evidence of an alleged attack on 21 August, not three previous incidents.

The UN team found that the nerve agent Sarin was used in the 21 August attack.

The report, however, did not apportion blame for the attack but Western nations blame the government forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Damascus – backed by Russia – says opposition forces are to blame.

Meanwhile the chief UN weapons inspector, Ake Sellstrom, has told the BBC it will be difficult to find and destroy all of Syria’s chemical weapons, but he believes it is “doable”.

Mr Sellstrom said much depended on whether the Syrian government and the opposition were willing to negotiate.

“Of course, it will be a stressful work,” he added.

Mr Sellstrom also said his team’s report may have contributed to Syria saying it was prepared to give up its chemical weapons.