UK accused of delaying a probe into insurgents’ use of chemical weapons in Syria

Russia has accused Britain, France, and the United States of trying to torpedo an urgent investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons by armed insurgents in Syria.

Russia condemned Britain and France for delaying a potential UN probe into the alleged use of chemical weapons by militants in the Arab country at the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Wednesday, March 20.

Russia’s UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin told the reporters that Britain and France wanted to focus on two alleged chemical weapons attacks rather than the one in Aleppo, adding that the countries were engaged in unnecessary “delaying tactics”.

“Instead of launching those propaganda balloons I think that it’s much better to get our focus right and I hope this is what the secretary general is doing,” Churkin said.

Syria asked the United Nations on Wednesday to order an “independent” investigation into the use of chemical weapons by foreign-backed militants in the northwestern city of Aleppo which killed at least 25 people.

The Arab country has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of Syrian army and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.