Avoid hasty intervention in Syria, UN chief Ban tells West
29 Aug 2013
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Any immediate military action by Western powers against Syria for a chemical bomb attack on suspected rebels last week looks unlikely, as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the big powers to hold off such action until a UN chemical weapons inspection team completes its study.
Ban said the team will leave the country by Saturday and report its findings to him.
He said "diplomacy should be given a chance" as the US and other Western powers consider their response to the Syrian government's alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians.
In Britain, the government and intelligence agencies have built up a strong case to justify armed intervention in Syria for violation of international conventions; but the Labour Party has made it clear that it would oppose military intervention.
The UN team left Damascus, the heart of the chemical attack that left hundreds, including women and children, dead in their sleep, in a convoy this morning to begin its third day of inspections.
British Prime Minister David Cameron is meeting with parliament on Thursday to discuss the situation.
In Washington, White House officials plan to brief members of Congress on Thursday about intelligence on the poison gas attacks.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad denies having any role in the alleged attacks, but Western intelligence agencies have no doubt that it was involved.
Assad reiterated today that his country would defend itself against any aggression and emerge "victorious".
The stand-off in the United Nations meanwhile continues, as Russia and China, two major members of the Security Council, supporting the Assad regime. Iran, meanwhile, warned today that any Western action against Syria would result in the "imminent destruction of Israel".
According to Iranian news reports, Revolutionary Guards Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari also said any US action against Damascus would be like a "second Vietnam" for America.
There are fears that direct action against Syria would lead to cyber-attacks on Western installations, as the country has a large army of dedicated hackers.
US President Barack Obama says he has not decided on any action, but has vowed that those who break international norms need to be held accountable.
Ban said the team will leave the country by Saturday and report its findings to him.
He said "diplomacy should be given a chance" as the US and other Western powers consider their response to the Syrian government's alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians.
In Britain, the government and intelligence agencies have built up a strong case to justify armed intervention in Syria for violation of international conventions; but the Labour Party has made it clear that it would oppose military intervention.
The UN team left Damascus, the heart of the chemical attack that left hundreds, including women and children, dead in their sleep, in a convoy this morning to begin its third day of inspections.
British Prime Minister David Cameron is meeting with parliament on Thursday to discuss the situation.
In Washington, White House officials plan to brief members of Congress on Thursday about intelligence on the poison gas attacks.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad denies having any role in the alleged attacks, but Western intelligence agencies have no doubt that it was involved.
Assad reiterated today that his country would defend itself against any aggression and emerge "victorious".
The stand-off in the United Nations meanwhile continues, as Russia and China, two major members of the Security Council, supporting the Assad regime. Iran, meanwhile, warned today that any Western action against Syria would result in the "imminent destruction of Israel".
According to Iranian news reports, Revolutionary Guards Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari also said any US action against Damascus would be like a "second Vietnam" for America.
There are fears that direct action against Syria would lead to cyber-attacks on Western installations, as the country has a large army of dedicated hackers.
US President Barack Obama says he has not decided on any action, but has vowed that those who break international norms need to be held accountable.
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