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UN to examine Syria chemical weapons attacks UN to examine Syria chemical weapons attacks
(about 1 hour later)
The UN has adopted a resolution aimed at identifying those behind chemical weapons attacks in Syria.The UN has adopted a resolution aimed at identifying those behind chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will be asked to prepare a plan to set up an inquiry.UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will be asked to prepare a plan to set up an inquiry.
The vote came after the US and Russia agreed on the final text of the resolution.The vote came after the US and Russia agreed on the final text of the resolution.
A mission to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal was set up after a deadly attack outside Damascus in August 2013.A mission to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal was set up after a deadly attack outside Damascus in August 2013.
Late last year, the OPCW declared it had removed or destroyed all 1,180 tonnes of declared toxic agents and precursor chemicals.Late last year, the OPCW declared it had removed or destroyed all 1,180 tonnes of declared toxic agents and precursor chemicals.
After Friday's vote, the US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said it was a clear message that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.After Friday's vote, the US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said it was a clear message that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.
"Today's resolution has been adopted with the council's unanimous support," she said."Today's resolution has been adopted with the council's unanimous support," she said.
"This sends a clear and powerful message to all those involved in chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The joint investigative mechanism will identify you if you gas people."This sends a clear and powerful message to all those involved in chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The joint investigative mechanism will identify you if you gas people.
"It bears repeating as well that we need to bring the same unity that we have shown today to urgently find a political solution to the Syrian crisis.""It bears repeating as well that we need to bring the same unity that we have shown today to urgently find a political solution to the Syrian crisis."
The challenge of assessing Syria's chemical weapons
Friday's resolution is a rare display of unanimity from the UN on Syria, with all 15 members voting in favour.
It follows months of negotiations between the US, which has long accused the Assad regime of using chemical weapons, and Russia, which has defended its Syrian ally.
Under the terms of the agreement, a team of expert inspectors will be given full access to all locations in Syria and be allowed to collect materials and interview witnesses.
But it is their ability to point a finger of blame, something that UN bodies have not done during the five-year conflict, that makes this resolution so significant.
The resolution calls for Mr Ban and the OPCW to recommend a team of investigators within 20 days.The resolution calls for Mr Ban and the OPCW to recommend a team of investigators within 20 days.
The US has expressed concern that the militant group Islamic State (IS), which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq, could get hold of chemical weapons.The US has expressed concern that the militant group Islamic State (IS), which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq, could get hold of chemical weapons.