UN confirms Syria chemical arms use

A UN report has concluded chemical weapons were used at least five times before Syria agreed to dismantle its arsenal, as Washington called setbacks for moderate rebels a “big problem”.
The report cites “credible evidence” and “evidence consistent with the probable use of chemical weapons” at Ghouta, Khan al-Asal, Jubar, Saraqeb and Ashrafieh Sahnaya.
“The United Nations Mission concludes that chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic,” said the report, prepared by a team led by Swede Ake Sellstrom.
However, the report does not attribute blame for the attacks, as this was beyond the team’s mandate from the UN Security Council.
Western and Arab governments, human rights groups and the rebels fighting to oust Assad accuse his regime of carrying out the attacks. Assad and his allies Russia and Iran blame the rebels.
The report has been distributed to Security Council members, and UN chief Ban Ki-moon is due to present it to the General Assembly later on Friday.
The United States, meanwhile, has called military setbacks for Syria’s Western-backed opposition a “big problem”.
Washington would continue to support “moderate” forces but will withhold non-lethal aid until it can assess who controls arms depots and border crossings, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel told reporters.
Meanwhile, a former US Central Intelligence Agency chief said a victory for Assad could be the best outcome to avoid a regional spillover.
Michael Hayden, who headed the CIA until 2009, saw three possible outcomes.