UN in security talks with Syria after chemical probe put on hold

Its inspectors have a mandate to determine the circumstances of the alleged chemical attack, but not to say who is responsible.

But delays and security fears have cast uncertainty over the current fact-finding mission (FFM).

“At present, we do not know when the FFM team can be deployed to Douma,” the OPCW chief said.

Western ambassadors to the organisation accused the Syrian regime of obstructing the mission.

The French foreign ministry has said it is “highly likely that evidence and essential elements disappear from the site”.

Several experts have said it was likely that Russian and Syrian forces that now control Douma have tried to remove or tampered with incriminating evidence.

– ‘Hiding evidence’ claims –

The “White Helmets”, a Syrian rescue force that works in opposition-held areas, said it was working closely with the inspectors.

“We provided information on the burial place of those killed in the chemical attack,” its chief Raed Saleh told AFP.

The White Helmets and local medics were the main source of information in the wake of the alleged chemical attack.

Another member of the organisation said he was worried proof that toxic substances had been used was being tampered with, particularly the burial site.

“The regime is hiding all the evidence,” said the member, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding it was “essential” the inspectors visit the site of the attack.

He said the victims were buried in the city’s east. On Tuesday, Syrian state news agency SANA said a “mass grave” had been found there, but did not specify what had been done with the bodies.

Top Jaish al-Islam official Mohammad Alloush accused the regime on Wednesday of “erasing proof of the chemical (attack) in Douma.”

He specifically accused them of “storming cemeteries in search of the victims of chemical substances”.