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West calls for extending probes of using chemical weapons in Syria

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 9, IRNA -- The four countries of France, the US, Britain and Germany called on the United Nations Security Council to extend the international probings into the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The three permanent members of the US Security Council plus Germany in a joint statement also called for a guarantee that those responsible for the chemical attacks will be prosecuted.

The following is excerpts of text of joint statement by the US, Britain, France and Germany:

Joint Statement on Syria Chemical Weapons by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

On October 26, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), a body established by unanimous decision of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), concluded that ISIS/Daesh was responsible for a sulfur mustard attack on the town of Um Housh in September 2016 on two consecutive days. We also condemn this despicable act, and we are united in our determination to defeat this abhorrent terrorist movement once and for all. We condemn the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere.

We agree that it is vital for the international community to continue to investigate cases where chemical weapons have been used in Syria. We therefore urge the United Nations Security Council to maintain the JIM's investigative capacity. We also call on the OPCW Executive Council to take action in response to the JIM report to send an unequivocal signal that those responsible for the use of chemical weapons will be held accountable.

Sadly, this is not the first report identifying those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria. In 2016, the JIM came to the conclusion that the ISIS/Daesh used sulfur mustard once in 2015.

A robust international response is now essential to hold those responsible to account, seek justice for the victims of these abhorrent attacks and to prevent such attacks from happening again. After such a report, the Security Council and all its members have a common responsibility to protect the international non-proliferation regime and live up to their previous commitments.

**2050