UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the United Nations will launch an investigation into an alleged chemical weapons attack this week in Syria.
Ban told journalists on March 21 that the investigation will look into "the specific incident brought to my attention by the Syrian government."
Syria on March 20 asked Ban to investigate an alleged chemical-weapons attack by rebels near the northern city of Aleppo on March 19.
Rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime deny the allegation and blamed the government for using chemical agents in the attack.
Ban said full cooperation from all parties would be "essential" for the investigation.
He said that included "unfettered access."
He said the investigation would start "as soon as practically possible," but "will not happen overnight."
Ban told journalists on March 21 that the investigation will look into "the specific incident brought to my attention by the Syrian government."
Syria on March 20 asked Ban to investigate an alleged chemical-weapons attack by rebels near the northern city of Aleppo on March 19.
Rebels fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime deny the allegation and blamed the government for using chemical agents in the attack.
Ban said full cooperation from all parties would be "essential" for the investigation.
He said that included "unfettered access."
He said the investigation would start "as soon as practically possible," but "will not happen overnight."