UN report confirms use of Sarin gas in Syria

A UN report over the investigations of 14 alleged chemical attacks over Syria in the past two years has resulted in convincing evidence that sarin gas was used in last month's rocket attack.

A photograph published by foreign media shows UN chemical weapons chief investigator Ake Sellstrom handing the report to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The text on the front page of the report is clearly visible. It reads: "The environmental, chemical and medical samples we have collected provide clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were used... in the Ghouta area of Damascus'' on 21 August...The conclusion is that chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic... against civilians including children on a relatively large scale...This result leaves us with the deepest concern."

The US have been threatening Syria with military intervention over the use of chemical warfare but a last minute US-Russia deal halted military action in lieu of Syria dismantling its chemical arsenal. A UN resolution is now expected of the UN's Security Council.

While naming the responsible for the attack was not in the investigator's remit, observes commented that the report is drawn in ways that blame the Syrian Government.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had denied claims that his government was responsible for any chemical attack.