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Chemical inspectors to begin work in Syria's Douma
AFP
Last Updated IST
A child is treated in a hospital in Douma, eastern Ghouta in Syria, after what a Syria medical relief group claims was a suspected chemical attack. REUTERS
A child is treated in a hospital in Douma, eastern Ghouta in Syria, after what a Syria medical relief group claims was a suspected chemical attack. REUTERS

Inspectors from the OPCW chemical watchdog will begin their investigation Sunday at the site of a chemical attack near Damascus, a senior official said.

"The fact-funding team arrived in Damascus on Saturday and is due to go to Douma on Sunday," said Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan.

A delegation of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in The Hague, is tasked with investigating an April 7 attack on Douma, just east of Damascus.

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Western powers say chemical substances, most likely chlorine and sarin, were used in the attack and killed at least 40 civilians.

The attack, which Damascus and its Russian ally have denied ever happened, prompted an unprecedented wave of missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain on Saturday.

Soussan reiterated a pledge by the Syrian government that the chemical experts would be allow to investigate unimpeded.

"We will ensure they can work professionally, objectively, impartially and free of any pressure," he said.

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(Published 15 April 2018, 15:02 IST)