NHK, 9 April 2018— The United Nations Security Council plans to hold an emergency meeting on Monday over the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Relief groups say 49 people died in the Syrian district of eastern Ghouta on Saturday.

The government of Bashar al-Assad denies that its forces used chemical weapons.

Nine countries, including the United States, called for an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.

The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said in a statement on Sunday that the Security Council has to support an independent investigation into what happened, and hold accountable those responsible for this atrocious act.

She indicated that Russia, which backs the Assad government, should press the administration to cooperate with an on-site investigation.

Last October, experts from the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons compiled a report on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, but Russia objected to the extension of the inquiry. The US aims to launch a new inquiry into the issue.

It remains unclear whether the US and Russia will be able to close the gap at the scheduled Security Council meeting.