U.N. Says Accord Reached on Syria Chemical Weapons

The United Nations said Friday it reached an agreement with Syria on an inquiry into the use of chemical weapons, but did not say U.N. inspectors would be allowed in.

Two U.N. envoys went to Damascus on Tuesday and Wednesday and held talks with Syria's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, read a brief U.N. statement.

"The discussions were thorough and productive and led to an agreement on the way forward," added the statement, without giving any other detail.

Ake Sellstrom, the chief inspector in the U.N. investigation team, and Angela Kane, the U.N. high representative for disarmament, were to report to U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon on the trip.

Ban has demanded widespread access to investigate all allegations of the use of chemical weapons in the 28-month-old conflict. Syria has insisted that the U.N. only investigate its claim that opposition rebels used chemical weapons in the town of Khan al-Assal on March 19.

The U.N. says it has received reports of 13 attacks in the conflict.

Britain, France and the United States say all the attacks were carried out by President Bashar Assad's forces. Russia, Assad's main ally, says its inquiry found opposition rebels used sarin gas in Khan al-Assal.