Ban Ki-moon Warns Against Use Of Chemical Weapons In Syria

The use of any chemical weapons in Syria will amount to a “crime against humanity” and there will be “serious consequences” for the perpetrators, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday, while urging an immediate investigation into the matter.

“Any use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anybody, under any circumstances, will violate international law,” Mr. Ban said ahead of a meeting in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK) on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“Such a crime against humanity should result in serious consequences for the perpetrator. Once again, I call for an immediate investigation of this latest incident.”

A UN team is currently in Syria to probe the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Government at Khan al-Asal, as well as two other allegations reported by Member States.

The team is to spend 14 days on the investigation, but is likely to also get an extension of time.

Mr. Ban called on the Syrian Government to extend its full cooperation so that the team, led by Swedish scientist, Åke Sellström, could swiftly investigate the incident, which occurred on the morning of Wednesday, August 21, 2013.

Mr. Ban has also instructed the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Angela Kane, to travel to Damascus.

“I can think of no good reason why any party, either government or opposition forces, would decline this opportunity to get to the truth of the matter,” Mr. Ban said.

Since fight began in March 2011 between the Syrian Government and opposition groups seeking to oust President Bashar Al-Assad, as many as 100,000 people have been killed, with almost 2 million fleeing to neighbouring countries and 4 million others internally displaced.

In addition, at least 6.8 million Syrian require urgent humanitarian assistance, half of whom are children. Mr. Ban stressed that there was no time to waste, given the alarming humanitarian situation, calling on all parties involved to come to the negotiating table.

“The time has clearly come for the parties to stop shooting, and start talking. I am determined to do everything I can to assist the victims and move towards a political solution. That is the only way this crisis will be resolved.”

He added that before a political situation emerged, UN agencies would continue to provide assistance to millions of people inside and outside Syria who were in urgent need.

“Our challenge remains: achieving a complete cessation of hostilities, delivering humanitarian assistance and getting the government and the opposition to the negotiating table in Geneva as soon as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Joint Special Representative of the UN and League of Arab States for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said planning for the so-called “Geneva II” conference was underway, with the conference tentatively taking place in September.

In June, discussions about the international meeting were held in Geneva with participation from senior United States, Russian and UN officials, led by Mr. Brahimi.

The goal of the conference will be to achieve a political solution to the conflict in Syria through a comprehensive agreement between the government and the opposition for the full implementation of the Geneva communique of 30 June 2012 issued after a meeting of the Action Group for Syria.