DHAKA: Russia’s government says UN chemical weapons inspectors are expected to return to Syria on Wednesday.

Russia deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said they would investigate alleged chemical weapons attacks at Khan al-Assal, Sheikh Maqsoud and Saraqeb, according to the Interfax news agency, reports the BBC.

The inspectors had been preparing to do so when chemical weapons were fired at suburbs of Damascus on 21 August.

Last week, they confirmed the nerve agent sarin was used in that attack.

The inspectors were not asked to ascertain who fired the sarin-filled artillery rockets which hit eastern and western parts of the Ghouta agricultural belt, killing hundreds of people, but Western powers have claimed that it could only have been Syrian government forces.

The Syrian and Russian governments have challenged them to present firm evidence, and instead alleged that rebels were responsible.

BDST: 1501 HRS, SEPT 24, 2013
RoR/BSK