1st LD: Syria invites UN to investigate chemical weapons claims in Douma

DAMASCUS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it has sent an invitation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to send a fact-finding mission to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in Damascus' eastern district of Douma, according to state news agency SANA.

In a statement, the ministry stressed the Syrian government's willingness to provide all kinds of help for the mission to carry out its work and hoped the mission could do its work with "full transparency and rely on tangible and credible evidence."

"Syria stresses its keenness to cooperate with the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to reveal the truth behind the allegations, which are prompted by some Western sides to justify their aggressive intentions to serve their political goals," the ministry said.

The statement comes against the backdrop of the warmongering rhetoric of the U.S. and its European allies, who are threatening military action on Syria on the pretext of chemical weapons use by the Syrian army in the recent battles against the rebels in Douma district east of the capital Damascus. Enditem