Use of nerve agent in Britain unacceptable, UN chief says

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday the use of
a nerve agent in an attack on a former Russian spy in Britain was
“unacceptable” and called for a thorough investigation.

“The use of nerve agents as a weapon under any circumstances is
unacceptable and its use by a state would constitute a serious
violation of international law,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq quoted
Guterres as saying.

The comments came before an emergency meeting of the Security
Council called at Britain’s request to discuss the attack that left
ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in critical condition.

The UN spokesman said that Guterres was “deeply concerned” by
the attack on March 4 in the English city of Salisbury.

“While the secretary-general is not in a position to attribute
responsibility, he strongly condemns the use of any nerve agent or
chemical weapon and hopes that the incident will be thoroughly
investigated,” Haq added.

British Prime Minister Theresa May expelled 23 Russian diplomats
and suspended high-level contacts with Russia after Moscow did not
respond to her demand for an explanation.

May told parliament that the Russian state was “culpable” for
the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter.

Moscow has denied any involvement in the attack using the nerve
agent Novichok, which was developed by the Soviet Union and later
inherited by Russia. (AFP)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday the use of
a nerve agent in an attack on a former Russian spy in Britain was
“unacceptable” and called for a thorough investigation.

“The use of nerve agents as a weapon under any circumstances is
unacceptable and its use by a state would constitute a serious
violation of international law,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq quoted
Guterres as saying.

The comments came before an emergency meeting of the Security
Council called at Britain’s request to discuss the attack that left
ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in critical condition.

The UN spokesman said that Guterres was “deeply concerned” by
the attack on March 4 in the English city of Salisbury.

“While the secretary-general is not in a position to attribute
responsibility, he strongly condemns the use of any nerve agent or
chemical weapon and hopes that the incident will be thoroughly
investigated,” Haq added.

British Prime Minister Theresa May expelled 23 Russian diplomats
and suspended high-level contacts with Russia after Moscow did not
respond to her demand for an explanation.

May told parliament that the Russian state was “culpable” for
the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter.

Moscow has denied any involvement in the attack using the nerve
agent Novichok, which was developed by the Soviet Union and later
inherited by Russia. (AFP)