US President Barack Obama has said the alleged
use of chemical weapons in Syria in an attack on Wednesday is a “big event
of grave concern”.
use of chemical weapons in Syria in an attack on Wednesday is a “big event
of grave concern”.
Obama said the US was still seeking confirmation
such weapons were used, but if proved true the situation would “require
America’s attention”.
such weapons were used, but if proved true the situation would “require
America’s attention”.
Meanwhile, Syria’s main ally Russia has urged it
to allow a United Nations team to investigate the allegations.
to allow a United Nations team to investigate the allegations.
Activists say hundreds died in the alleged
chemical attack near Damascus.
chemical attack near Damascus.
But there is no sign yet that Damascus will allow
a UN inspection team to visit to investigate the claims.
a UN inspection team to visit to investigate the claims.
Unverified footage shows civilians – many of them
children – dead or suffering from what appear to be horrific symptoms as a
result of Wednesday’s attack.
children – dead or suffering from what appear to be horrific symptoms as a
result of Wednesday’s attack.
Also on Friday, UN agencies said the number of
children forced to flee Syria had reached one million.
children forced to flee Syria had reached one million.
The UN’s refugee agency and Unicef describe the
figure as “a shameful milestone”, and say a further two million
children are displaced within the country, reports the BBC.
figure as “a shameful milestone”, and say a further two million
children are displaced within the country, reports the BBC.
Last year President Obama said the use of
chemical weapons in Syria would cross a “red line” and force a tough
US response.
chemical weapons in Syria would cross a “red line” and force a tough
US response.
In an interview broadcast on CNN on Friday, he
said that the recent claims of chemical weapons use were “very
troublesome”.
said that the recent claims of chemical weapons use were “very
troublesome”.
“What we’ve seen indicates clearly this is a
big event, of grave concern, and we are already in communications with the
entire international community,” Obama said.
big event, of grave concern, and we are already in communications with the
entire international community,” Obama said.
He said that “core national interests”
of the US were involved in the Syrian conflict, “both in terms of us
making sure that weapons of mass destruction are not proliferating, as well as
needing to protect our allies, our bases in the region.”
of the US were involved in the Syrian conflict, “both in terms of us
making sure that weapons of mass destruction are not proliferating, as well as
needing to protect our allies, our bases in the region.”
But he added that “The notion that the US
can somehow solve what is a sectarian, complex problem inside of Syria
sometimes is overstated.”
can somehow solve what is a sectarian, complex problem inside of Syria
sometimes is overstated.”
“We don’t expect co-operation [from the
Syrian government] given their past history,” Obama added.
Syrian government] given their past history,” Obama added.
Meanwhile Russia’s foreign ministry said in a
statement on Friday: “The Russian side called on the Syrian government to
co-operate with the UN chemical experts.
statement on Friday: “The Russian side called on the Syrian government to
co-operate with the UN chemical experts.
“It is now up to the opposition, which
should guarantee safe access for the mission to the alleged place of the
incident.”
should guarantee safe access for the mission to the alleged place of the
incident.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US
Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed that an objective investigation was
needed, Russia’s foreign ministry added.
Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed that an objective investigation was
needed, Russia’s foreign ministry added.
Other leaders have also pushed for an urgent
investigation.
investigation.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has already
called for one “without delay”.
called for one “without delay”.
“I can think of no good reason why any party
– either government or opposition forces – would decline this opportunity to
get to the truth of the matter,” Ban said from the South Korean capital,
Seoul.
– either government or opposition forces – would decline this opportunity to
get to the truth of the matter,” Ban said from the South Korean capital,
Seoul.
He said any use of chemical weapons would violate
international law and should result in “serious consequences for the
perpetrator”.
international law and should result in “serious consequences for the
perpetrator”.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague says he
is holding discussions with Ban, John Kerry and the foreign minister of Qatar
to press for immediate access for the UN team.
is holding discussions with Ban, John Kerry and the foreign minister of Qatar
to press for immediate access for the UN team.
“Every day without UN access is a day in
which evidence can deteriorate or be hidden by those responsible,” Hague
said.
which evidence can deteriorate or be hidden by those responsible,” Hague
said.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has warned
that France must react “with force” if the use of chemical weapons
was confirmed.
that France must react “with force” if the use of chemical weapons
was confirmed.
The Syrian government has described the
allegations that it sanctioned the use of chemical weapons as “illogical
and fabricated”.
allegations that it sanctioned the use of chemical weapons as “illogical
and fabricated”.
But according to Reuters news agency, Syrian
anti-government activists are trying to smuggle tissue samples from victims’
bodies to the UN inspectors to prove their claims.
anti-government activists are trying to smuggle tissue samples from victims’
bodies to the UN inspectors to prove their claims.
“The UN team spoke with us and since then we
prepared samples of hair, skin and blood and smuggled them back into Damascus
with trusted couriers,” activist Abu Nidal told Reuters.
prepared samples of hair, skin and blood and smuggled them back into Damascus
with trusted couriers,” activist Abu Nidal told Reuters.
Meanwhile, the UN says children now make up half
of all refugees fleeing Syria. About three-quarters of those children are under
11.
of all refugees fleeing Syria. About three-quarters of those children are under
11.
BBC
