The 22-nation Arab League has opposed a military attack, despite holding “the Syrian regime responsible for this heinous crime” of chemical attack on civilians.
Also on Wednesday, Iran, a top ally of the Syrian leadership stepped up the level of its opposition in anticipation of U.S.-led military strikes in Syria. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the Americans that the consequences of military intervention in Syria would be catastrophic, as Washington would incur losses comparable to its experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
With high stakes riding their mission, U.N. chemical weapons inspectors, who are in Syria, proceeded on Wednesday to inspect the site where the alleged chemical attack took place. “They (the inspectors) later arrived in the Eastern Ghouta area on the north-eastern outskirts of Damascus under the protection of rebel fighters,” said the pro-opposition Syrian Revolution General Commission.
Counselling patience and restraint, the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the U.S. and its allies to give time to the inspectors to complete their findings.
“We must pursue all avenues to get the parties to the negotiating table,” observed Mr. Ban.
