China supports probe into use of chemical weapons

Envoy: Political settlement is the only way out for Syria issue

UNITED NATIONS - China supports the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and related UN entities in carrying out comprehensive, objective and fair investigations into uses of chemicals as weapons in Syria, a Chinese envoy said on Wednesday.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at a Security Council emergency meeting on alleged chemical weapon attack in Syria.

It is reported that at least 70 people were killed, 200 others were wounded on Tuesday in a gas attack in a rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.

China is "profoundly shocked" by the suspected use of chemicals as weapons which has resulted in enormous civilian casualties, Liu said.

He said there have been several cases of use of chemicals as weapons in Syria, and therefore China supports OPCW in conducting the probes into all cases so as to reach conclusions based on substantive evidence that can "stand the test of time and facts".

"China firmly opposes the use of chemicals as weapons by any country, any organization or any person under any circumstances," Liu said.

"We strongly condemn any attacks against civilians. It is essential to hold to account all the related perpetrators and responsible parties in cases of chemical weapons," he added.

A draft resolution

Liu also reiterated that political settlement is the only way out of the Syrian question. "It is the hope of China that all the parties will create conditions for the political settlement rather than creating trouble or difficulties," he said.

The 15-nation council is working on a draft resolution which asks for an inquiry into the alleged attack.

However, due to disagreements among Security Council members, more time is needed for negotiations on the text before it is put to a vote.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said there is no "option except victory" in the country's civil war in an interview published on Thursday, saying the government could not reach "results" with opposition groups that attended recent peace talks.

The interview with Croatian newspaper Vecernji List appeared to have been conducted earlier. Assad was not asked about the chemical attack. The government has strongly denied any role.

US officials have not said what kind of agent they think was used, but President Donald Trump said it was "a chemical gas that is so lethal, people were shocked to hear what gas it was".

US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, had warned of unilateral action.