Syria allows UN chemical investigation team to enter Damascus countryside

Syria's Foreign Ministry said Sunday it had reached an agreement with the UN, allowing the UN chemical investigation team to enter the eastern al-Ghouta countryside of the capital Damascus to probe the alleged use of chemical weapons there.

The move came a day after the arrival of the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Angela Kane, who flew in to press for expanding the mission of the UN chemical weapon investigation team.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has called on the Syrian government to allow the UN inspectors, who are already in Syria, to have access to the eastern al-Ghouta countryside, where the rebels accused the government of releasing sarin gas recently.

Damascus, for its part, denied any involvement and turned the table against the opposition, saying the incident only plays in the hand of the rebels to draw in their long-dreamed foreign intervention in Syria.

The UN inspection team is in Syria to investigate previous claims of chemical weapons used in the northern Khan al-Assal town and two other undisclosed locations.

The team arrived upon the call of the Syrian government, whose leaders have accused the Western-backed rebels of using chemical substances in attacking pro-government areas in Khan al-Assal.