Reported chemical weapons use in Syria shocking: UN chief

United Nations, Aug 22: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has expressed his shock over the reported use of chemical weapons in the Damascus suburbs.

Stating that he was "shocked" by the reported use of chemical weapons on the outskirts of Syria's capital city of Damascus, Ban Wednesday reiterated that "any use of chemical weapons by any side under any circumstances would violate international humanitarian law", reported Xinhua citing a UN deputy spokesperson as telling reporters.

"The secretary-general is shocked to hear the reports of the alleged use today of chemical weapons in the suburbs of Damascus," Eduardo del Buey, the deputy UN spokesperson, said at a daily news briefing here.

"The secretary-general is aware that a number of member states, the Arab League and the European Union have expressed grave concern about the most recent reports of the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria," the official added.

IANS