Iran’s Zarif: Syrian Government not behind Alleged Chemical Attacks in Damascus Countryside
TEHRAN- Iran has dismissed claims accusing the Syrian government of using chemical weapons against armed groups’ positions in the countryside of Damascus.
“If the use of chemical weapons is true, it has definitely been carried out by terrorist and Takfiri groups, because they have proved in action that they don’t hesitate in committing crimes,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said in a late Wednesday phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu.
Zarif also argued that Damascus could not be behind the alleged attack as the Syrian Army has upper hand in the battle against foreign-backed armed groups and the UN inspectors are present in Syria.
“This criminal act has been carried out by terrorist groups because their interests lie in intensifying the crisis in Syria,” he added.
The Iranian foreign minister also stressed Tehran’s strong condemnation of any use of chemical weapons.
Some Arab and international media outlets which are part in shedding the Syrian blood have launched an anti-Syria campaign alleging that the Syrian Arab Army had used chemical weapons against armed groups in al-Ghouta area of Damascus Countryside.
But the Syrian Army vehemently rejected the allegations, saying the accusations were categorically null and void and were fabricated to mislead the visiting team of the UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up terrorists’ losses.
“The claims come within the framework of the media war against Syria, according to a statement by the General Command of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces.
The head of the UN inspection mission, Ake Sellstrom, has said that the alleged attack should be investigated. The Arab League has also called on the inspectors to visit the site of the alleged chemical attack.
Meanwhile, Britain, France, the US, and Saudi Arabia have called for the UN Security Council to convene immediately to discuss the reports of the chemical attack.
In March, dozens of people were killed in a chemical attack by armed groups, in the northern province of Aleppo. A Russian-led inquiry said terrorists were behind the deadly attack.
H. Mustafa