Diplomat: UN chemical weapons team speeds up Syria analysis; due in 2 to 3 weeks

UNITED NATIONS – A senior diplomat says the U.N. chemical weapons inspection team that left Syria with biological samples and other materials is speeding up its analysis and hopes to have it done in two or three weeks.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because his discussions with top U.N. officials were private, says the expedited analysis will shave about a week off the processing time.

The U.N. team last week was in Syria to determine whether chemical weapons were used Aug. 21 in a Damascus suburb, and if so, what types were used.

The Obama administration continues to push Congress to authorize a U.S. military strike to degrade Syrian President Bashar Assad's chemical weapons capabilities.