UN: Experts delay trip to Damascus suburb by 1 day

[August 27, 2013]  DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- The United Nations says that a team of chemical weapons experts in Syria has delayed a second trip to investigate an alleged poison gas attack near Damascus by one day.

The U.N. says in a statement the decision was made Tuesday in order to improve preparedness and safety for the team, after unidentified snipers opened fire on their convoy on Monday.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said at a press conference earlier that Tuesday's trip was postponed because of disputes between rebel groups.

The U.N. statement only mentioned security precautions.

It urged all sides in the conflict to give safe passage and access to the team, adding it was in the interest of all sides to cooperate with the investigation.

[Associated Press; By ALBERT AJI]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.