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Syria crisis: UN's del Ponte says evidence rebels 'used sarin' Syria crisis: UN's del Ponte says evidence rebels 'used sarin'
(about 1 hour later)
Testimony from victims of the Syrian conflict suggests rebels have used the nerve agent sarin, according to a leading United Nations investigator.Testimony from victims of the Syrian conflict suggests rebels have used the nerve agent sarin, according to a leading United Nations investigator.
Carla del Ponte told Swiss TV there were "strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof".Carla del Ponte told Swiss TV there were "strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof".
However, she said her panel had not yet seen evidence of government forces using chemical weapons.However, she said her panel had not yet seen evidence of government forces using chemical weapons.
Syria has recently come under growing Western pressure over the alleged use of such weapons.Syria has recently come under growing Western pressure over the alleged use of such weapons.
Ms del Ponte, who serves on the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said in an interview with Swiss-Italian TV: "Our investigators have been in neighbouring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals.Ms del Ponte, who serves on the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said in an interview with Swiss-Italian TV: "Our investigators have been in neighbouring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals.
"According to their report of last week, which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated.""According to their report of last week, which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated."
Ms del Ponte, a former Swiss attorney-general and prosecutor with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, said the UN commission would need to hear further evidence from witnesses to verify what was known so far.Ms del Ponte, a former Swiss attorney-general and prosecutor with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, said the UN commission would need to hear further evidence from witnesses to verify what was known so far.
She gave no details of when or where sarin may have been used.She gave no details of when or where sarin may have been used.
Her commission was established in August 2011 to examine alleged violations of human rights in the Syrian conflict since March 2011.Her commission was established in August 2011 to examine alleged violations of human rights in the Syrian conflict since March 2011.
Mutual accusations
A separate United Nations team was established to look specifically into the issue of chemical weapons.A separate United Nations team was established to look specifically into the issue of chemical weapons.
It is ready to go to Syria but wants unconditional access with the right to inquire into all credible allegations.It is ready to go to Syria but wants unconditional access with the right to inquire into all credible allegations.
'Game changer'
Both the Syrian government and the rebels have in the past accused each other using chemical weapons.Both the Syrian government and the rebels have in the past accused each other using chemical weapons.
The United States and the UK have said there is emerging evidence of Syrian government forces having used sarin, with the US saying it had "varying degrees of confidence" that chemical weapons had been deployed.The United States and the UK have said there is emerging evidence of Syrian government forces having used sarin, with the US saying it had "varying degrees of confidence" that chemical weapons had been deployed.
US President Barack Obama called in April for a "vigorous investigation", saying the use of such weapons would be a "game changer" if verified.US President Barack Obama called in April for a "vigorous investigation", saying the use of such weapons would be a "game changer" if verified.
President Bashar al-Assad's government says the claims do not have any credibility, denouncing them as "lies".President Bashar al-Assad's government says the claims do not have any credibility, denouncing them as "lies".
Ms del Ponte's allegations concerning the use of sarin by rebels came after Israel carried out a series of air attacks on Syrian military targets near Damascus. Israeli raids
The Syrian government said a research centre and other sites were hit on Sunday and accused Israel of co-ordinating its operation with rebel forces. Ms del Ponte's allegations concerning the use of sarin by rebels came after Israel carried out a series of air attacks on Syrian military targets early on Sunday.
US and Israeli officials also said Israeli aircraft hit a shipment of missiles on Friday destined for the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Israeli officials said its military struck consignments of advanced Iranian missiles for delivery to the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
The raids have drawn condemnation from The Arab League. Hours later, the Syrian government said the Jamraya research centre north-west of Damascus was hit.
A more recent official statement has given more details, saying military positions in the Jamraya area were struck along with other facilities at Maysaloun near the Lebanese border and a military airport at Dimass.
The statement said there was massive damage at those locations and nearby civilian areas with many people killed or injured. It also denied that the targets included missiles on their way to Hezbollah.
Images on state TV showed large areas of rubble with many buildings destroyed or badly damaged.
The Arab League has condemned the raids and the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, has expressed concern.
He said all sides should "exercise maximum calm and restraint" and "act with a sense of responsibility to prevent an escalation of what is already a devastating and highly dangerous conflict".