Berlin/Beirut: A German newspaper is reporting that a team of United Nations chemical weapons inspectors could submit initial findings from its tests of samples collected in Syria by the end of next week.
The respected weekly Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung says the interim report to UN chief Ban Ki-moon will likely contain details on the gas, ammunition and delivery systems used in the attack that killed hundreds of people in a suburb of Damscus on August 21.
The newspaper said Saturday its report was based on information provided by two unnamed persons close to the inspection team.
It added that the inspectors collected almost 100 samples from the site of the attack, including pieces of rubble and ammunitions remains, as well as hair, tissue, blood and urine samples from humans and animals.
Meanwhile. heavy government shelling of rebel positions near the Syrian capital killed 16 people on Saturday, activists said.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the mortar and artillery fire on the Moldokhiya agricultural area south of Damascus killed 14 rebels. A child and another civilian also died in the shelling, it added.
The group also reported heavy fighting between rebels and troops loyal to President Bashar Al Assad around the Christian village of Maaloula.
The rebel advance into the area that began on Monday was reportedly spearheaded by Al Qaida-linked fighters, exacerbating fears among Syrians and religious minorities in particular that Islamic extremists are playing an increasingly important role in the rebellion.
Fighters from the Western-backed Free Syrian Army have also participated in battles around Maaloula, destroying two government checkpoints near the town earlier this week, according to a statement by the main opposition coalition on Friday.
