BREAKING NEWS

China says UN chemical inspectors should be objective in Syria

By REUTERS

AUGUST 22, 2013 14:30

BEIJING - China said on Thursday that UN chemical weapons experts should be objective and "fully consult" with the Syrian government in their work, after Syria's opposition accused government forces of using such weapons in an attack on civilians.

With the death toll estimated at between 500 and 1,300, what would be the world's most lethal chemical weapons attack since the 1980s prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

"China's position is very clear. It does not matter what side in Syria uses chemical weapons, China resolutely opposes it," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters in China's first public response to the attack.

"At present, the UN's chemical weapons inspection team for Syria is on the ground beginning its investigations, and (China) hopes that the team fully consults with the Syrian government and maintains an objective, impartial and professional stance, to ascertain what really happened."

The Security Council did not explicitly demand a UN investigation, although it said "clarity" was needed and welcomed UN chief Ban Ki-moon's calls for a prompt investigation by the UN inspection team in Syria, led by Ake Sellstrom.

An earlier Western-drafted statement submitted to the council, seen by Reuters, was not approved. The final version of the statement was watered down to accommodate objections from Russia and China, diplomats said.

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