UN chief condemns chemical weapon use in Syria, calls for unity in Security Council

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria and called for unity in the Security Council in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"We've learned with gravest concern of reports of the recent use of chemical weapons in Syria, including in Idlib (governorate). The secretary-general once again condemns in the strongest possible terms any use of such weapons for which there can be no justification," Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.

"He (Guterres) reiterated his call for unity of the Security Council in order to ensure that those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria are identified and held accountable," said Haq, referring to the impasse within the council that led to the dissolution of an independent investigative mechanism.

Last year Russia used its veto power in the council three times to kill the Joint Investigative Mechanism of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Russia last month circulated a draft resolution for a new investigative mechanism, but several council members have expressed serious reservations about the text.

Chinese Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Wu Haitao said Monday that China supports Russia's efforts to push for the establishment of a new investigative mechanism. China hopes that council members will continue to hold constructive consultations in order to reach consensus at an early date, he told the council.

Guterres supports the call of UN officials for a one-month cessation of hostilities in Syria for the delivery of humanitarian aid, said Haq. "He hopes that any sort of halt can be brought about on the ground because it's urgently needed."

The UN humanitarian team in Syria warns of the dire consequences of the compounded humanitarian crisis in several parts of the country, said a statement issued Tuesday by the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator and UN representatives in Syria.

The statement called for an immediate ceasefire throughout Syria for at least a month to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid and services, the evacuation of the critically sick and wounded, and the alleviation of people's suffering.

In Afrin, the ongoing military operations and the reported blockage of exits by other forces have trapped many civilians, the statement said, noting that so far, 380 families have reached surrounding villages and Aleppo city neighborhoods while thousands of people have been displaced within Afrin.

As the fighting escalates, the number of civilians affected by violence is bound to increase.

In Idlib, the military operations resulted in increased casualties and the movement of civilians to safer areas. Some of them have been forced to move several times to escape the fighting, said the statement.

The UN-mandated Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria reported that airstrikes have reportedly hit at least three hospitals in Idlib