The Syrian government is facing growing pressure to allow an international probe of an alleged chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus. The Syrian opposition says government forces fired poisonous gas into rebel-held neighborhoods, killing hundreds of people. The alleged attack occurred just days after U.N. inspectors arrived in the country to investigate previous attacks. Russia, a key ally of the Assad regime, says it has asked the Syrian government to cooperate. On Thursday, President Obama called the alleged use of chemical weapons a “big event of grave concern.” At the United Nations, a spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he expects access for international inspectors “without delay.”

Eduardo del Buey: “The secretary-general now calls for the mission, presently in Damascus, to be granted permission and access to swiftly investigate the incident which occurred on the morning of the 21st of August, 2013. A formal request is being sent by the United Nations to the government of Syria in this regard. He expects to receive a positive response without delay.”