Syrian opposition's National Coalition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib(CL) and Mostafa Sabbah(CR)and George Sebra(R) attend Syria's opposition coalition meeting on March 18, 2013 in Istanbul (image by Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty)
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria's information minister says a chemical weapon fired by rebels on a village in the north of the country is the "first act" by the opposition interim government announced in Istanbul.
Omran al-Zoubi says the missile containing "poisonous gases" was fired from Nairab district in Aleppo into Khan al-Assal village on Tuesday.
He says 16 people were killed and 86 wounded in the attack. He spoke to the pro-government Al-Ikhbariya TV station.
Omran also says the attack is the results of the decision by some in the international community to arm the Syrian opposition.
Rebels have denied the accusation and say regime forces fired the weapon.