Syrian state TV has stated today that United Nations inspectors are to be granted access to the site of an alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus. The UN said the Syrian government has also agreed to observe a ceasefire during the visit.

The development followed an agreement between the Syrian foreign minister and the head of a UN delegation to the country today.

The agreement "is immediately effective and it will allow UN delegation to investigate allegations of using chemical weapons on August 22 in Damascus suburbs," the state TV said.

The alleged chemical weapons attack in Eastern Ghouta, on Wednesday 21 August. According to Medecins Sans Frontieres at least 355 people died.

The state TV said that the government and the UN agreed to cooperate on time and exact hour of the visit.