The US, Britain and France have said they believe that the Assad regime was responsible for a chemical weapons attack in Damascus last month.

The United Nations yesterday demanded Syria give its chemical weapons experts immediate access to rebel-held Damascus suburbs where poison gas appears to have killed hundreds just a few miles from the UN team’s hotel.

Syrian government forces have carried out a “poisonous gas” attack near the capital Damascus, leaving dozens of people dead, opposition groups said.

Syrian army shelling and helicopter attacks on suburbs of the capital Damascus killed at least 62 people yesterday, opposition activists said.

Syrian troops are crushing pockets of resistance on the outskirts of Damascus as they advance into suburbs previously held by rebel forces, activists said.