Russia, Syria push for return of UN inspectors to investigate chemical attack

MOSCOW – Russian and Syrian foreign ministers say they will push for the return of United Nations inspectors to Syria to continue their probe into the use of chemical weapons.

Lavrov said after Monday’s talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem that Moscow will continue to promote a peaceful settlement and may try to convene a gathering of all Syrian opposition figures who are interested in peaceful settlement.

Lavrov says that a U.S. attack on Syria will deal a fatal blow to peace efforts.

Al-Moallem said his government was ready to host the U.N. inspectors to investigate the use of chemical weapons, which Washington has blamed on Syrian government forces. He says Damascus will change its stance in case of U.S. strike, but wouldn’t say more about how it would react.