UNITED NATIONS, April 5 (KUNA) -- The UN is continuing its discussions with the Syrian government on its request to dispatch an investigation team to probe the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, and is hopeful to reach a decision soon, Deputy Spokesman Eduardo del Buey told the daily press briefing.
"The UN continues to discuss the content of the exchange of letters with the government of Syria, and it is hopeful that a mutual understanding on the text will be reached soon," he said in answer to questions.
The two sides are discussing how much access the UN team will have to sites and victims once it is on the ground.
These issues are being discussed orally and in writing by Syrian Ambassador to the UN Bashar Ja'afari and Angela Kane, the head of the UN Disarmament Affairs, who met twice.
KUNA learned that Syria does not want the team, headed by Swedish scientist Ake Sellstrom, to interrogate the victims of such attacks, and wants to limit the probe to only Khan Al Asal site near Aleppo.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who ordered the probe last month, said that while the primary focus of the investigation would be Khan Al-Assal incident, as requested by both parties, he will also consider investigating two additionial sites - Al-Tayba near Damascus and Homs - as requested by the opposition and western countries.
The Government and the opposition traded accusations last month of using the prohibited weapons on civilians.
In a related matter, KUNA learned that UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi is keeping a low profile, upset by the fact that the Arab League decided in its Summit last week to grant Syria's seat to the opposition, a decision that runs contrary to the UN position which considers the Assad regime as the only representative of the Syrian people. (end) sj.bs KUNA 052254 Apr 13NNNN