Snipers fire at UN inspectors in Syria

A group of unidentified snipers Monday opened fire at the UN chemical investigation team in the countryside of Damascus, a UN spokesman was cited by the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV as saying.

The spokesman said there was multiple, deliberate shooting on the UN team, which caused damage to a car. He spelled no further details about the well-being of the team members, Xinhua reported.

The UN inspectors in Syria started Monday on-site fact-finding activities in the eastern al-Ghouta area in the countryside of Damascus to probe the alleged use of chemical weapons.

The team started its mission a day after the Syrian government granted it access to the site of the alleged attacks.

On Aug 21, the Syrian opposition claimed 1,300 people were killed in a chemical attack by the government on militant strongholds in the suburbs of Damascus, which was strongly denied by the Syrian government.

The attack took place just two days after a group of UN inspectors began an investigation into alleged use of chemical weapons in the northern Khan al-Assal town and two other undisclosed locations, as the government accused the rebels of being behind the chemical attack in Khan al-Assal and urged the UN to send the investigation team.