Syrian ambassador says probe into Syria chemical attacks lacks "physical evidence"

The conclusions made by a UN-led probe report which accuse Syrian government force of using chlorine gas lack "physical evidence," said Syrian Ambassador Bashar Jaafari here on Tuesday.

"The conclusions contained in the report were totally based on statements made by witnesses presented by the terrorist armed groups," said Jaafari. "Therefore these conclusions lack any physical evidence, whether by samples or attested medical reports that chlorine was used."

The report, provided by a Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) of the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), said "information suggests the involvement of both the government and other actors" in alleged chemical attacks in Syria.

The report notes that the Islamic State has used sulfur mustard in one attack. And the Syrian government is responsible for two chlorine gas attacks, one in 2014 and one in 2015.

Chemical attacks are believed to have taken place in several areas in Syria over the past years. In August, 2015, the UN Security Council established JIM to identify the perpetrators of the deadly chlorine gas attacks in Syria.

Virginia Gamba, head of JIM, said after a Security Council discussion on the report that "the Mechanism conducted an independent, impartial and objective investigation as a sub-organ of the Security Council."

"The perpetrators must be identified and held accountable to deter such actions in the future," she added. Enditem