Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans on Wednesday said he was awaiting the outcome of the UN report on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria before deciding on whether to support any military intervention.

Timmermans added that if the use of chemical weapons was proven, the Dutch were in favor of measures against the perpetrators.

"If there is indeed evidence that chemical weapons have been used, then action must be taken. If we don't do that, we not only let down the Syrian people, but also we would give a signal to the rest of the world that these kinds of war crimes remain unpunished," he said.

The mandate of the UN research team in Syria expires on Aug. 31, but may be extended. Ban Ki-moon stated on Wednesday in The Hague that UN investigators needed a total of four days to conclude their investigation.

A debate on Syria has been scheduled in Dutch parliament on Thursday, with Timmermans and Dutch Minister of Defense Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert present.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)