The UN has asked the Syrian government to allow international experts "unconditional and unfettered access" to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons. According to dpa, the UN high representative for disarmament, Angela Kane, wrote to Damascus asking for the investigation to begin, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said in New York. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked Damascus to respond to the letter "swiftly and favorably so a fact-finding mission can carry out its work in Syria," Nesirky said.