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July 10, 2013

Russia: Syrian Rebels Behind Chemical Weapons Attack 
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Russia is backing Syrian government claims that an alleged chemical
attack earlier this year came from rebels fighting Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad. Presenting evidence to the United Nations, Russian
Ambassador Vitaly Churkin cited the findings of a team of Russian
experts on the ground.

Vitaly Churkin: "The results of the analysis clearly indicate that the
ordnance used in Khan al-Assal was not industrially manufactured and was
filled with sarin. The sarin technical specifications prove that it was
not industrially manufactured either. The absence of chemical
stabilizers in the samples of the detected toxic agents indicate the
relatively recent production. The projectile involved is not a standard
one for chemical use. Hexogen utilized as an opening charge is not used
in standard ammunitions. Therefore, there is every reason to believe
that it was the armed opposition fighters who used the chemical weapons
in Khan al-Assal."

The Russian team was allowed in after the Syrian government blocked a
U.N. investigation. Syrian rebels have blamed the government for the
March attack near Aleppo, which left at least 26 people dead. The White
House says it rejects Russia's claims.