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UN Security Council approves Syria chemical probe

Xinhua, September 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday approved an investigative mechanism to identify the perpetrators of chemical attacks in Syria.

A statement released by UN chief Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson said "the Secretary-General welcomes the authorization by the Security Council of the Secretary-General's recommendations to establish and operate the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM)."

Ban, in close coordination with the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and all other relevant parties, shall, without delay, undertake all steps, measures and arrangements necessary for the speedy establishment and full functioning of the JIM, said the statement.

Earlier last month, the Security Council adopted a resolution on the JIM, asking the UN Secretary-General and the Director-General of OPCW to submit to the council recommendations for the establishment of the JIM.

Ban had submitted by Aug. 27 the requested recommendations, including elements of terms of reference, on the joint investigative mechanism.

According to Thursday's statement, Ban called on all parties in Syria to cooperate fully with the JIM, saying he counts on the Security Council members and the entire UN membership to ensure the effective implementation of the resolution.

The Syrian conflict began when nationwide protests against President Bashar al-Assad met with violent government crackdowns in 2011. Since then, it has been dragging on for more than four years with no solution in sight. Enditem