Syria rejects new accusation of using chemical arms

Syria has categorically denied new accusations by the foreign-backed Syrian opposition that Damascus has used chemical arms in its fight against extremist militants in the country.

Rejecting the allegation on Wednesday, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Bashar al-Ja’afari reiterated that the enemies of Syria will spare no effort to overshadow preparations for the country’s upcoming presidential election, which is set for June.

Ja’afari rejected the allegation that chlorine gas has been used by government forces.

The accusation has been made by opposition groups as well as French officials without independent verification. Anti-Damascus opposition activists have recently posted videos similar to those from a chemical arms attack near the Syrian capital last August, which killed hundreds of people and nearly triggered US airstrikes against Syria, based on unproven allegations that government forces were behind the attack despite strong denials by Damascus.

A leading member of a UN inquiry commission at the time said testimony from victims of the chemical attack suggested that militants and not government forces had used the nerve agent Sarin outside Damascus in the August 2013 attack.

The new footage published online by foreign-backed Syrian opposition activists show pale-faced men, women and children coughing and gasping at field hospitals.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s UN Ambassador and current Security Council President U. Joy Ogwu told reporters that the alleged chlorine gas attacks were raised during a closed-door council meeting following a video briefing on Wednesday.

She said council members have called for an investigation but did not discuss who should conduct the probe. She also suggested that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which Syria joined last year, could play a role.

Meanwhile, OPCW Director General Ahmet Uzumcu said on Tuesday that Syria has removed 86.5 percent of its total chemical weapons stockpile.

On September 14, 2013, Russia and the United States agreed on a deal under which Syria would have its chemical weapons eliminated and the US would in return not carry out planned strikes on the Arab country.