DAMASCUS, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- The Syrian government denied Monday using chemical weapons in the areas of Duma and Adra, affirming it would not use these arms against its citizens.
Information minister Omran Al-Zubei, in a statement to official TV, dismissed as "lies and groundless" reports by some news agencies and TV satellite channels, which he did not name, that Syria used chemical weapons against citizens.
He said that even if Syria possessed chemical weapons, it would not use them "because of the moral values" of the Syrian leadership and Syrians in general.
He said Syria had requested an international investigation into the crime of Khan Al-Assal when "armed groups used chemical weapons there." Al-Zubei said the Syrian armed forces were "carrying out their duties fully and the Syrian diplomacy is acting in full throttle and positively in all directions." The conflict in Syria, which began in March 2011, killed more than 100,000 people and displaced millions others. (end) tk.bs KUNA 060130 Aug 13NNNN