UN Security Council to discuss Syria chemical attack

Syrian military has denied responsibility for yesterday's gas attack on Syrian rebel-held area saying it would never use chemical weapons. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said yesterday's attack in the northwestern province of Idlib killed at least 58 people and was believed to have been carried out by Syrian government jets. It caused many people to choke and some to foam at the mouth. The head of the health authority in rebel-held Idlib said around 300 people have been wounded in the attack. 

Director Rami Abdulrahman said the assessment that Syrian government warplanes were to blame was based on several factors such as the type of aircraft, including Sukhoi 22 jets, that carried out the raid. However, the Syrian army command denied the use of any chemical or toxic material in Khan Sheikhoun town. It said in a statement that the army has not used nor will use any chemical or toxic material in any place or time in past or in future. The Russian Defence Ministry said its aircraft had not carried



out the attack. 

The White House called the attack an "intolerable act" and said President Donald Trump was alarmed by the reports. French President Francois Hollande directly blamed Syrian government forces and said President Bashar al-Assad's allies were emboldening him to act with impunity. 

Assad has enjoyed staunch military backing from Iran and Russia in the war. Britain said Assad would be guilty of a war crime if it were proved that his regime was responsible. British Prime Minister Theresa May called for an investigation into the attack.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today to 

discuss the attack. The US ambassador said this yesterday. Britain and France called for the urgent meeting following reports of the strike.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley, who holds the council presidency this month, announced the meeting saying UN is hoping to get as much information on the Syrian attack as it can.