17 September 2013 (13:51 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/26 Shahrivar 1391/13 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

“….the use of chemical weapons in Syria is only the tip of the iceberg. The suffering in Syria must end.  Next week, as world leaders gather here, I will make a strong appeal to member states for action now…..we also must look at broader issues, not only chemical weapons….”-Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, stated that chemical weapons use in Syria is a war crime.  He also condemns conventional weapons use in the war in Syria.

He stated that the UN Security Council and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will be holding meetings.  Ki-moon is asking for a UN resolution.  He stated it will take the co-operation of “wide range of [UN] members”.

Ban Ki-moon’s speech opening the 68th General Assembly focused more on the overall war in Syria, than on the use of chemical weapons, suggesting that the United Nations is gearing up to support military action against Syria.

Ki-moon implied military action was needed to stop the use of chemical weapons, despite the fact his speech focused on other issues caused by the U.S. backed insurgency.  He did not say who is using chemical weapons.