UN Says Chemical Team’s Departure to Syria ‘Imminent’

The United Nations said Wednesday the departure of a team of chemical weapons inspectors to Syria was “imminent” following a green light from Damascus, according to the Voice of Russia.

“The Government of Syria has formally accepted the modalities essential for cooperation to ensure the proper, safe and efficient conduct of the mission,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesman said in a statement.

“The departure of the team is now imminent,” he added.

The statement said the team led by Swedish arms expert Ake Sellstroem would investigate the sites of chemical attacks in the country for a period of at least two weeks.

The United Nations last month reached a framework agreement with the Syrian government on the mission but had been awaiting a final green light from Damascus.

One of the sites to be investigated is Khan al-Assal, near Aleppo, where armed terrorist groups used chemical weapons on March 19, killing at least 26 people, including 16 Syrian soldiers.

“Our goal remains a fully independent and impartial inquiry,” the UN statement said.

Sellstroem is to be joined by 10 experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the World Health Organization.

H. Mustafa