U.N. to Launch Syria Chemical Weapons Inquiry

The United Nations will launch an independent investigation into a Syrian government allegation that opposition rebels staged a chemical weapons this week, U.N. leader Ban Ki-Moon said Thursday.

"I intend for this investigation to start as soon as practically possible," Ban told reporters.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and World Health Organisation are helping to set up what Ban predicted would be "a difficult mission."

President Bashar Assad's government said opposition fighters used chemical weapons in an attack at Khan al-Assal near Aleppo on Tuesday.

The opposition has blamed government forces, but the government made a formal request for a U.N. inquiry on Wednesday. Western nations had demanded that the U.N. look into all allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria.

"I have decided to conduct a United Nations investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria," Ban told reporters.

"The investigation mission is to look into the specific incident brought to my attention by the Syrian government," he said.

"I am, of course, aware that there are other allegations of similar cases involving the reported use of chemical weapons.

"In discharging its mandate of an investigation mission, full cooperation from all parties will be essential. I stress that this includes unfettered access," Ban insisted.

Diplomats and U.N. officials have stressed that still no formal proof has been given that chemical weapons were used by either side.