Syria has denied allegations it used chemical weapons on civilians in a Damascus suburb and announced it will allow United Nations chemical weapons inspectors to visit Ghouta.  

In Beirut, Syria's Information Minister  Omran Zoabi said the government never used chemical weapons.

"We have not done this in the past, the present, nor will we in the future. This is the definitive position for the Syrian leadership in this subject."

Zoabi acknowledged that chemical agents have been used in Syria --- but not by the government.

"We know who used these weapons --- armed terrorist groups. We have evidence and information and there is satellite imagery that Russia mentioned. People are suffering and they are witnesses."

His remarks come on the same day the governments said it is allowing UN inspectors to visit the Damascus suburb where the attacks are believed to have taken place. The announcement was made on state television. It isn't clear at this point how soon the inspectors will be on the ground.