Merkel raps China, Russia for blocking UN stance on Syria inspectors

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has criticised Damascus allies China and Russia for blocking a Western-backed UN text demanding that inspectors probing chemical weapons use in Syria be given unfettered access.

Her comments were made in an interview with Focus magazine, extracts of which were published on Saturday, even as a top UN envoy arrived in Damascus to discuss the terms on an enquiry into the alleged chemical attacks.

“Unfortunately, the opposition of Russia and China thwarted a formal statement by the UN Security Council calling for them (the inspectors) to be granted full access,” Merkel said.

A draft supported by the United States, Britain and France and calling for the powers of UN inspectors to be reinforced was circulated at a council meeting on Wednesday, in the wake of fresh allegations that chemical weapons had been used in Syria.

But according to diplomats, the council’s two other permanent members China and Russia, blocked it and only agreed to a weaker statement.

“What matters now is that the UN inspectors who are already in Syria be allowed to reach the scene as soon as possible,” Merkel said.