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Chlorine Findings in Syria Confirm Terrorists Have Toxic Agents - Russian Envoy

© REUTERS / Bassam KhabiehPeople are seen in the besieged town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, in Damascus, Syria March 9, 2018
People are seen in the besieged town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, in Damascus, Syria March 9, 2018 - Sputnik International
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Threats to use force against Syria are unacceptable, according to Russia's permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Alexander Shulgin, who commented on March 14 statement by the US envoy to the United Nations on readiness to act militarily on Syria.

"We regard such threats as appeals for aggression against a sovereign state in violation of all international legal norms. We consider this absolutely unacceptable," Shulgin said at a session of the OPCW Executive Council on Wednesday.

On March 12, the US Ambassador Nikki Haley claimed at a UN Security Council meeting that Washington is ready for new actions on Syria if it is necessary.

She also said the US attacked the Syrian government's Shayrat Airbase in 2017 because Washington believed it had been used for launching a chemical attack in Syria's Khan Shaykhun on April 4, 2017.

READ MORE: Chemical Weapons Accusations on Damascus Always Come as Syrian Army Wins – Envoy

Shulgin went on to say that the chlorine findings on the liberated Syrian territories prove that terrorists have toxic agents. He added that chemical attacks occur in the conflict zones at a "frightening" frequency.

"We see evidence of this in Syria, where terrorist groups are actively using toxic agents, mostly for provocative purposes, to put the blame for the use of chemical weapons on Damascus," he said.

Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the United States had plans to gain a foothold in Syria, including preparation of new provocations in Syria using chemical weapons, particularly in the Damascus' suburb of Eastern Ghouta.

Damaged cars and buildings are seen in the besieged town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria - Sputnik International
Moscow Exposes Nusra's Chemical Attack as US Warns It's Ready to Act in Syria
On March 12, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebazia said during a UN Security Council meeting that the Nusra Front* terrorist group used chlorine gas in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta on March 5.

The situation in East Ghouta is tense despite the adoption of UN resolution 2401 calling for ceasefire across all the country. The al-Qaeda*-linked Nusra Front terrorist group (both banned in Russia) has launched daily rocket and mortar attacks on Damascus. Russian officials have blamed Nusra for the escalation in violence.

*A terrorist group banned in Russia

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