Breaking News: UN To Examine Syria Chemical Weapons Attacks.

The UN has adopted a resolution aimed at identifying those behind

chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will be asked to prepare a plan for an inquiry.
The vote came after the US and Russia agreed on the final text of the resolution.
A mission to eliminate Syria's chemical arsenal was set up after a deadly attack outside Damascus in August 2013.
Late last year, the OPCW declared it had removed or destroyed all 1,180 tonnes of declared toxic agents and precursor chemicals.

'Powerful message'

After Friday's vote, the US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said it was a clear message that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.
"Today's resolution has been adopted with the council's unanimous support," she said.
"This sends a clear and powerful message to all those involved in chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The joint investigative mechanism will identify you if you gas people.
"It bears repeating as well that we need to bring the same unity that we have shown today to urgently find a political solution to the Syrian crisis."

Friday's resolution is a rare display of unanimity from the UN on Syria, with all 15 members voting in favour.
The resolution follows months of negotiations between the US, which has long accused the Assad regime of using chemical weapons, and Russia, which has defended its Syrian ally.

Under the terms of the agreement, a team of expert inspectors will be given full access to all locations in Syria and be allowed to collect materials and interview witnesses.
The resolution calls for Mr Ban and the OPCW to recommend a team of investigators within 20 days.
The US has expressed concern that the militant group Islamic State (IS), which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq, could get hold of chemical weapons.
Source: BBC