Interfax: Moscow to send to UNSC proof that insurgents used chemical weapons in Ghouta – Lavrov

(Interfax – MOSCOW, September 18, 2013) Russia intends to provide the proof, provided by Damascus, that the opposition used chemical weapons in eastern Ghouta near Damascus, to the UN Security Council.

“Of course, we will provide all of this to the UN Security Council,” Russian Foreign Minister told reporters following his speech at the Valdai Discussion Club.

This proof has been given to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Damascus.

Lavrov said that the materials given to Ryabkov confirm that the events in Ghouta on August 21 were of a provocative character. At the same time, Lavrov said he had not yet studied these materials but was certain experts would deal with them.

“We have enough evidence that the reports on chemical weapons reflect the fact that the opposition frequently resorts to such provocations in order to cause strikes [and foreign military] intervention. There is a lot of information. It is widely accessible on the Internet. This information is stipulated in the report our experts prepared on the events related to the use of chemical weapons in Aleppo in March 2013. And indeed there is a lot of information regarding the incidents, which took place in the Ghouta district near Damascus in August. We will consider all of this in the [UN] Security Council together with the report, which has been provided by UN experts, confirming the fact that chemical weapons were used. And it will be found out who did this,” Lavrov said.