"The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) visited one of the sites in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic today to collect samples for analysis in connection with allegations of chemical weapons use on 7 April 2018. The OPCW will evaluate the situation and consider future steps including another possible visit to Douma," the release stated.

According to the report, the OPCW experts have collected samples and other materials, which will now be transported to the organisation's laboratory in Rijswijk.  

"The samples collected will be transported to the OPCW Laboratory in Rijswijk and then dispatched for analysis to the OPCW’s designated labs. Based on the analysis of the sample results as well other information and materials collected by the team, the FFM will compile their report for submission to the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention for their consideration," it added.

The team was earlier not allowed to visit Douma.

The alleged chemical attack, which took place on Apr 7, reportedly killed over 40 people.

Though the US, the UK and France blamed the Syrian government of carrying out the attack, the latter rubbished the claims and was backed by Russia.

In response to the attack, the three Western countries also launched coordinated airstrikes earlier this month.

According to the respective parties, their military targeted Syrian chemical facilities.

The strike was strongly condemned by Syria, Russia and China, while Israel, and France welcomed the decision taken by US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Meanwhile, protesting the strike, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has handed back his Legion d'honneur to France.

A Syrian Foreign Ministry statement read: "The ministry of foreign affairs... has returned to the French republic... the decoration of the Grand Croix of the Legion d'honneur awarded to President Assad."

"It is no honour for President Assad to wear a decoration attributed by a slave country and follower of the United States that supports terrorists," the statement added.

The medal was returned via the Romanian embassy.

Assad received the award in 2001 from French President Jacques Chirac.

Image: UN Photo