The weapons inspectors have resumed their work.

"Under its agreement with Damascus, the dozen UN inspectors and about eight support staff have 14 days to investigate three earlier sites of possible chemical weapon use.

That clock started ticking on their arrival on August 19 and so has six days to go. The UN team, however, led by the Swedish scientist Ake Sellstrom and the UN's high representative for disarmament affairs, Angela Kane, is committed to visiting the original three sites after it has finished in Ghouta.

Under the deal with the Assad regime, the inspectors could ask for an extension, which would take their investigation well into September." (Guardian 28th August, Julian Borger, Analysis)

However it appears virtually certain that, as was the case in Iraq, military action will not be delayed to allow the inspectors to carry out their work. In The case of Iraq it was widely believed that a reason for rushing ahead was the danger that completed inspections might weaken the case for an attack.