Conflicting reports emerged of recent chemical weapons use in Syria - UN formally asks Syria to authorize chemical attack probe

Reports of massive chemical attack near Damascus as UN observers arrive in Syria

RT - Conflicting reports emerged of recent chemical weapons use in Syria. This comes on the same day that the UN inspectors arrive in Damascus to investigate allegations of use of toxic arms. The casualty figures range from dozens to almost 1,300 deaths.

Initially, Al-Arabiya posted news of 280 victims on Twitter. Later, the news outlet upgraded the figure up to 1,188 victims quoting the Free Syrian Army.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had a much lower figure, claiming dozens of people were killed, including children.

News agencies such as Reuters and AP mostly put the numbers of victims at hundreds, but say that reports can't be independently verified.   Read More   PTG

UN formally asks Syria to authorize chemical attack probe

Hurriyet Daily - The United Nations formally asked the Syrian government Aug. 22 to authorize U.N. experts to investigate a reported chemical attack with mass casualties near Damascus, a spokesman said.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also has decided to send Angela Kane, the U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs to Damascus, spokesman Eduardo del Buey said.

Damascus had agreed at the end of July, following an earlier visit by Kane, to allow U.N. experts to investigate three other sites where chemical weapons attacks were alleged to have taken place.

"The secretary-general believes that the incidents reported yesterday need to be investigated without delay," del Buey said in a statement.    Read More

Earlier coverage - 

UN stops short of demanding probe over Syrian chemical attack

Jerusalem Post - Argentina's UN ambassador says UN Security Council seeking clarity on on opposition claims Syrian troops used chemical weapons; UN diplomats say Russia, China opposed language that would have demanded investigation.

The UN Security Council released a brief statement on Wednesday evening, stopping short of calling for an investigation into Wednesday this morning's allegations of a massive chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus that reportedly killed thousands.

After two hours of closed consultations with the Security Council, UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson briefly relayed once again how "deeply disturbed" and "shocked" Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's was about the alleged attack. Eliasson also emphasized the reports have not been confirmed, but said the UN will "investigate this as soon as possible." "This represents, no matter what the conclusions are, a serious escalation with grave human consequences," Eliasson said.

The UN investigative team on the Syrian chemical weapons arrived in the country on Sunday, but it was unclear whether they would be granted access to all the areas they are mandated to investigate, including the latest one. Eliasson did not confirm whether the UN had yet asked for permission for access, or whether Syria had given theirs.   Read More  RTG