UN chemical weapons inspectors arrive in Syria

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UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- UN inspectors tasked with investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria arrived at the war-torn nation Sunday, a statement issued here by the UN spokesperson's office said.

"The mission will begin its work on Monday," said the statement.

According to the spokesperson's office, further updates may be given in due course from the UN headquarters in New York City.

The statement also noted that the team will not be speaking to the media at this moment.

The UN fact-finding mission, set up in March at the request of the Syrian government, will investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons at the Khan al-Asal town on the southwestern outskirts of the embattled city of Aleppo and two other sites.

The government and rebels have been blaming each other for an alleged chemical weapons attack on Khan al-Asal on March 19 that killed at least 25 people and injured 130 others.

The locations of two other incidents have not been made known due to a security precaution. The UN investigation team's mandate is to report on whether chemical weapons were used, and if so, to specify what kind of chemical weapons was used, but not to determine the responsibility of the attack.

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