Chemical arms incidents in Syria reported whenever something positive happens on political track - Nebenzya
NEW YORK (UN)/WASHINGTON. Feb 9 (Interfax) - The allegations that the Syrian authorities are using chemical weapons against the civilian population are made whenever something positive happens on the political track, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said.
The UN Security Council had closed-door consultations on the humanitarian situation in Syria on Thursday. Reporters asked Nebenzya for comment on the allegations that Russia might be involved in the recent chemical arms attacks in Syria.
"I'd rather not use strong language to answer your question. It is a shame, such allegations are shameful," Nebenzya said.
The use of chemical weapons is reported "out of the blue whenever something positive is happening on the political track," he said.
"This is rather obvious to us," Nebenzya said.
"Following the successful Syrian National Dialogue Congress, we have seen increased attempts at slandering Russia's actions in Syria and calling the political settlement process into question. The meeting we have had today is no exception," he said.
"The current humanitarian situation in Syria may be bad and depressing, but it does not differ much from what it was a month ago although it was presented as something dramatic," he said.
U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert again accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons at a press briefing on Thursday and said that "we also know that chemical weapons use is enabled by Russia."
"We will continue to put pressure on the Russian government to do the right thing," she said.