A UN weapons inspection team headed to a Damascus suburb Monday to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use last week. Before they arrived, they came under fire by snipers. That elicited a strong reaction from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and condemnation from world leaders. The UN hasn’t assigned blame for the attack – and no group has claimed responsibility for it – but the UN has appealed to both pro- and anti-government forces to respect the UN’s neutrality in this conflict.

The Secretary General immediately called for both sides to ensure the safety of the inspectors. No one was injured in the attack – and, after retreating for an undisclosed period of time – the team of about a dozen inspectors headed back out into the field. A spokesman said the team collected samples and interviewed witnesses, and despite the growing calls for a military strike, UN officials urged the international community to let the team finish its work.

Amateur video purports to show the UN inspectors at a makeshift hospital in a western suburb of the capital Damascus.

Victims of the attack appear to convulse. Officials in helmets and protective vests, presumably the inspectors, are seen talking to doctors.

Just hours earlier, their seven-car convoy came sniper fire in a buffer zone between government and rebel controlled territory. A UN official said bullets struck the lead vehicle’s tires and front window.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, "I have instructed Angela Kane to register a strong complaint to Syrian government and authorities of opposition forces so that this will never happen, and the safety and security of investigators, investigation teams will be secured from tomorrow."

As the drumbeat for a possible military strike intensifies, a spokesman for the UN Secretary General told reporters that diplomacy was still the UN’s top priority.

UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq said, "The task is to complete an unimpeded investigation as promptly as possible before speculating on any possible next steps."

He also took on critics who argue too much time had passed to conduct an adequate investigation.

Farhan Haq said, "Despite the passage of a number of days, the Secretary General is confident that the team will be able to obtain and analyze evidence relevant to its investigation of the 21st of August incident at Ghouta in Damascus."

The Secretary General’s spokesman said the team is still scheduled to inspect three other sites where chemical weapons were allegedly used. As of now, the investigator’s 14-day mission hasn’t been extended.