Russian FM warns against claims Syria used chemical weapons
Iran Press TV
Fri Jun 7, 2013 8:23AM GMT
Russia's foreign minister has warned against 'speculations and provocation' surrounding claims that Syrian forces used chemical weapons against militants.
Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that claims about the possible use of chemical weapons by Syrian government forces should not be used as an excuse for a foreign attack on the country.
France and the UK claim the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against foreign-backed militants operating in the country.
The Russian minister added that the claims could be employed by "certain forces, who may say that the red line has been crossed and that a foreign intervention is necessary."
Lavrov further said a more comprehensive investigation is required, noting that investigators should also explore claims of the use of chemical weapons by the militants.
The White House had previously described any use of chemical weapons in Syria as a "red line" that could trigger possible military action.
Syria strongly rejects the claims as "lies," saying that the militants have used chemical weapons on several occasions, including an attack in the region of Khan al-Assal in the northwestern province of Aleppo, where over two dozen people died.
On June 4, French officials claimed that they were in possession of "evidence," based on laboratory tests, that proved nerve gas sarin had been used by the government forces in Syria.
The French government said it had handed the test results to a UN chemical weapons investigation team, which is led by Swedish scientist Ake Sellstrom.
The UN said in a statement on June 5 that Sellstrom had cautioned that the "validity of the information is not ensured."
MR/HSN
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