Instead, he noted, the U.S. is continuing sanctions aimed at keeping up pressure. Washington is wary of easing sanctions or agreeing to another of the North's priorities — a declaration ending the Korean War — without Pyongyang first making significant disarmament moves. Syria has denied using chemical weapons in the fight. "We fully condemn the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances," al-Moallem said. In November, Russia used its Security Council veto to block Western efforts to keep the investigative body going.

Source: ABC News September 29, 2018 08:02 UTC