U.N. says accord reached on Syria chemical weapons inquiry

The United Nations said Friday it reached an accord with Syria on an inquiry into the use of chemical weapons in the country.

The agreement comes after two U.N. envoys visited Damascus on Tuesday and Wednesday, holding talks with Syria’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, read a brief U.N. statement cited by AFP news agency.

“The discussions were thorough and productive and led to an agreement on the way forward,” added the statement.

But it did not say whether U.N. inspectors would be allowed into Syria.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has demanded widespread access to investigate all allegations of the use of chemical weapons in the 28-month-old conflict.

The bloc says it has received reports of 13 attacks in the conflict, according to AFP.

All the attacks were carried out by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, say Britain, France and the United States. But Russia, Assad’s main ally, says its inquiry found opposition rebels used sarin gas in Khan al-Assal.

(With AFP)