MOSCOW, March 25 - RAPSI. Russia wants its own experts to join the team that will investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons during fighting between rebels and government forces in Syria, Russia’s senior diplomat said on Monday.

“The objectivity of a probe into the use of chemical weapons in Syria on March 19 could be guaranteed by a balanced group of international experts,” Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov tweeted. “It should comprise representatives of the ‘big five’ UN Security Council members, including chemistry specialists from Russia and China,” Gatilov, Russia's point man on the Middle East, wrote in his remarks.

Last week the Syrian government and opposition rebels traded accusations of the use of chemical weapons in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo. The UN has pledged to investigate the reports.

Syrian state media reports said that at least 25 people died and 110 more were seriously injured. Rebel forces have denied using chemical weapons.