Syria: Chemical Weapons Were Used, UN Says

A report which provides "clear and convincing evidence" that chemical weapons were used in Syria makes for "chilling reading", the UN Secretary-General has said.

Ban Ki-moon said the evidence published by UN weapons inspectors was "overwhelming and indisputable".

He described the attack in Damascus on August 21, in which the US believes more than 1,400 people were killed, as a "war crime and a grave violation ... of international law".

In their 38-page report, the inspectors said chemical weapons had been used on a "relatively large scale".

Rockets tested at the attack site were found to contain sarin, while the area in which they landed was contaminated with the deadly gas.

UN chemical weapons inspectors collected samples in Damascus

Blood and urine samples taken from patients injured in the attack tested positive for the nerve agent, while survivors said they had experienced symptoms including loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and blurred vision, all of which are consistent with intoxication.

The inspectors said the findings had left them with the "deepest concern".

The report does not blame forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad or opposition fighters for the attack.

However, photographs taken by the inspectors appeared to show possible Cyrllic, or Russian, engravings on one of the rocket casings.

Russia is a close ally of Syria and strongly opposed threatened US air strikes against the Assad regime.

Fierce fighting has left towns and cities across Syria in ruins

Sky's Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall said: "It doesn't prove Mr Assad's army had (the weapons) because so many were looted by the opposition.

"Nevertheless, many experts will say much of the evidence points to (the involvement of) Mr Assad."

Both the UK and the US claimed the evidence presented by the UN proved the Syrian government was behind the attack.

Mark Lyall Grant, the British ambassador to the UN, said there was "no remaining doubt" the Assad regime was responsible.

White House spokesman Jay Carney added: "The information ... that the sarin agent was delivered on surface-to-surface rockets that only the Assad regime has makes clear the responsibility."

William Hague, Lauren Fabius and John Kerry in Paris

Earlier, British Foreign Secretary William Hague met his French counterpart Lauren Fabius and US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the Syrian chemical weapons handover hammered out by the US and Russia.

Speaking after the UN published its findings, he said: "We're hopeful but very mindful of all the difficulties of identifying and securing probably the largest arsenal of chemical weapons in the world in a country that is a contested battlefield.

"However, this report illustrates the very pressing need to do so."

Meanwhile, Mr Kerry warned Mr Assad the allies would "not tolerate anything less than full compliance" with the agreement.

They want the agreed framework to be put into a "strong and binding" UN resolution, under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which can authorise both the use of force and non-military action.

However, Russia believes a military option should only be on the table in the event of non-compliance from Syria.

:: Read the UN inspectors' 38-page report in full

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