Press release

FCO Minister statement on UN Security Council Syria vote

Minister for the Middle East welcomes today’s UN Security Council vote to investigate responsibility of chemical weapons use in Syria

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP
• Published: 7 August 2015

Speaking today the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Tobias Ellwood said:

The Security Council has today voted to investigate responsibility for the use of chemical weapons which have been repeatedly and systematically used in Syria. I have made clear that these appalling breaches of international law not only violate previous Security Council resolutions, but the Chemical Weapons Convention which Syria acceded to only last year when it committed to full destruction of its barbaric arsenal of chemical weapons. The fact the resolution was adopted unanimously shows that the international community is serious about bringing those responsible for their use to justice.

Sadly, these horrific acts continue. The UK has been clear that we believe that the Assad regime has repeatedly used chemical weapons in Syria. We remain committed to holding to account those responsible for these appalling acts, and to assist in the work of the new Joint Investigative Mechanism.

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Published 7 August 2015