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US 'examining allegations' of chlorine use in Syria
The US State Department has reported indications that a toxic industrial chemical, probably chlorine, was used in the Syrian town of Kfar Zeita this month.
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Chemical weapons watchdog plans Syria gas probe
The head of the global watchdog overseeing destruction of Syria's chemical weapons is considering launching an investigation into alleged chlorine gas attacks in the country.
Ahmet Uzumcu, head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, could start a fact-finding mission without seeking formal permission from Syria, said Reuters.
Syria became a member of the watchdog last year as part of a deal with Russia and the US to destroy its chemical weapons programme.
Syria: Ban Ki-moon urges end to blocks on aid
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has demanded the Security Council take action in Syria on violations of international law as he reported that none of the warring parties was adhering to UN demands for aid access.
In his second monthly report to the 15-member council on the implementation of a resolution demanding great humanitarian aid access in Syria, Ban said "none of the parties to the conflict have adhered to the demands of the Council".
"The Security Council must take action to deal with these flagrant violations of the basic principles of international law," he wrote in the 21-page report.
He did not specify what measures the council should take.
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Chlorine gas 'dropped by helicopter' say opposition
Opposition activists in Syria have accused the Assad regime of dropping chlorine gas 'bombs' on a town in a rebel-held area of the civil war-torn country.
It is claimed that helicopters dropped the poisonous gas on Kfar Zeita on 11 and 12 April.
Because of its common use, chlorine is not on the list of chemicals that Syria had to declare to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons under an agreement last year.
US 'examining allegations' of chlorine use in Syria
The US State Department has reported indications that a toxic industrial chemical, probably chlorine, was used in the Syrian town of Kfar Zeita this month.
"We have indications of the use of a toxic industrial chemical" US spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, referring to the rebel-held area in the central province of Hama.
Psaki said the United States was still trying to determine the facts and that "there needs to be an investigation of what's happened here."