After initial delay, Chemical weapons experts belonging to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said they have finally collected samples in the besieged Syrian city of Douma on Saturday, after being barred from accessing the site. According to CNN, a fact-finding team visited one site in Douma and collected samples, to help determine whether banned substances were used there in an April 7 strike. The report quoted OPCW as saying
"The OPCW will evaluate the situation and consider future steps including another possible visit to Douma."
Recall that the team faced several obstacles in getting to Douma, raising concerns that any chemicals that may have been used could disintegrate by the time experts get there, or that evidence could be manipulated.
The report also said UK officials say about 75 people were killed April 7 in an attack on the rebel stronghold. US officials have said they believe chlorine and sarin gas were dropped there.
Both Syria and its most powerful ally, Russia, deny a chemical attack took place.
The United States, the United Kingdom and France have blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime for the assault and together carried out airstrikes last weekend in response.
Meanwhile, Russia has claimed the April 7 attack was "faked," or even "staged" with the help of British intelligence agencies. The allegation had since been denied by Britain and the United States.
