Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday appointed a distinguished Swedish scientist and researcher to head the mission to investigate possible use of chemical weapons in Syria, APA reports quoting Xinhua.
"The secretary-general has appointed Professor Ake Sellstrom of Sweden to head the UN fact-finding mission, which will investigate allegations of the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria," said UN Spokesperson Martin Nesirky at a briefing to the press.
Ban announced the investigation after receiving a written request from the Syrian government last week.
At least 25 people were killed and 130 others wounded last Tuesday when armed men fired a rocket stuffed with chemical materials at the Khan al-Asal, Syrian state-media said, claiming opposition fighters were responsible. However, the rebels denied the accusations and instead accused the government.
According to Nesirky, Sellstrom is currently a project manager at a research institute called the "European Center for Advanced Studies of Societal Security and Vulnerability, in particular major incidents with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Substances (CBRNE)."
"He is an accomplished scientist with a solid background in disarmament and international security," said Nesirky.
"He has taught at universities in the United States and served as Director at the Swedish Defense and Security Research Institute (FOI)," the spokesperson added.
Additionally, Sellstrom has previously served as Chief Inspector with UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) and as Senior Adviser to the Chairmen of UNSCOM and UNMOVIC (United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) for the disarmament of Iraq.
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