Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Rebels Open Fire on United Nations Investigators In Syria

Media source: Terrorists open fire on UN investigators as they enter al-Muadamiya area

Aug 26, 2013

Damascus, (SANA) – A media source stated that armed terrorist groups opened fire on members of the UN team tasked with investigating the use of chemical weapons as the investigators were entering al-Muadamiya area and after the Syrian authorities escorted them safely to the area controlled by these groups.

The source said that the Syrian government holds the armed terrorist groups responsible for the security and safety of the UN team members and for preserving their lives and ensuring their safe return.

For his part, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Martin Nesirky, said that unknown snipers opened fire on the UN experts, forcing them to suspend their attempt to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in Damascus countryside.

Nesirky said the first car of the team came under deliberate fire several times by unknown snipers, and that no-one was injured.

The UN team, headed by Ake Sellstrom, is operating as per an agreement between the Syrian government and the UN which was reached during the visit of Sellstrom and UN High Representative for Disarmament Angela Kane to Syria upon the authorities' invitation in June.

The agreement was further developed during Kane's visit on Sunday by permitting the UN team headed by Sellstrom to investigate the allegations of chemical weapons use on 22/8/2013 in Damascus countryside, with the team coordinating with the Syrian government regarding the time and date of visiting the agreed-upon locations.

H. Sabbagh

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