‘Syrian rebels may have used chemical weapons’

But UN investigator says there are suspicions that rebel forces have used the nerve agent sarin

A top United Nations human rights investigator has exploded a bombshell, pointing out a strong likelihood of the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian opposition and finding little merit in allegations of their use by government forces.

The turnaround in the heated debate on chemical weapons in Syria came about after Ms. Carla del Ponte indulged in some plain-speaking with a Swiss television channel. “Our investigators have been in neighbouring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals and, according to their report of last week which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated.”

She asserted, “This was use [of sarin gas] on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities.” The stunning observations by Ms. del Ponte flies in the face of flimsy allegations by Israel, Britain and France that Syrian government forces loyal to President Bashar Al Assad had subjected civilians to the deadly gas.