The international body charged with establishing who is responsible for chemical attacks in Syria says it has identified at least five potential cases for investigation â€" four where chlorine gas was allegedly used against rebel-held areas and one involving mustard gas. The investigative body established by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in its first report circulated Friday and obtained by The Associated Press that it plans to start the next phase in March including in-depth analysis of the cases, field visits, witness interviews and obtaining relevant information from U.N. member states and others. The Joint Investigative Mechanism, or JIM, said this phase will continue "until sufficient information and evidence is gathered" to enable it to report its findings to the U.N. Security Council. Until the council established the JIM last August, the U.N. and the OPCW were only able to investigate attacks without laying blame on the government or rebels.
