(UTV|COLOMBO) – Russia says it strongly supports international inspectors’ visit to the site of a suspected chemical attack in Syria.
The Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, dismissed allegations that Russia was trying to hamper the mission by experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Syrian activists say more than 40 people were killed in the April 7 chemical attack in Douma, which they blamed on government forces. The attack prompted the U.S., Britain and France to launch Saturday’s missile strikes on Syria.
Syria and its ally Russia have denied any chemical attack took place, and Moscow accused Syrian rebels of fabricating the attack with British assistance, a claim Britain has rejected.
The Russian military claimed Tuesday it found rebel chemical weapons stockpiles in Douma, including chlorine and mustard gas precursors.
Syrian State TV says the OPCW team entered Douma on Tuesday, after days of delays by Syrian and Russian authorities.
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