United Nations, Mar 22 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced to conduct an investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria after Damascus requested for the same, Xinhua reported.

"I have decided to conduct a United Nations investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria," the UN chief told reporters here Thursday.

"I intend for this investigation to start as soon as practically possible," Ban said. "The investigation mission is to look into the specific incident brought to my attention by the Syrian government."

At least 25 people were killed and 130 wounded Tuesday when armed men fired a rocket stuffed with chemical materials at Khan al-Asal, Syrian state-media said while blaming the opposition fighters for it. However, the rebels denied the accusations and instead accused the government.

The Syrian government Wednesday urged the UN to send an independent mission to investigate the reported chemical weapons attack in the country's northern province of Aleppo, Syria's UN representative Bashar Ja'afari told reporters here.