Syria: UK concern over chemical weapons

The UK is increasingly concerned chemical weapons are being used against the Syrian people, Foreign Secretary William Hague said yesterday.

Mr Hague said that at the moment the Syrian regime could access weapons, while the rebels were unable to do so as the government looked at trying to amend EU sanctions preventing arms from being shipped to the country.

Updating MPs in the House of Commons following last week’s G8 meeting in London, he said the United Nations relief effort was “critically underfunded” with only 34 per cent of $1.5 billion of humanitarian appeal reaching the Syrian people.

Mr Hague said: “G8 ministers reaffirmed the view that the use of chemical weapons in Syria would demand a serious international response.

“The UK is increasingly concerned that there is evidence of the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

“These allegations must be fully and urgently investigated.

“We welcome the UN Secretary General’s announcement of an investigation in to the allegations and again call on the Syrian regime to co-operate fully and allow access to all areas.”