A UN team is due to inspect sites of alleged chemical attacks in Syria after an agreement was reached with the government.
"The government of Syria has formally accepted the modalities essential for co-operation to ensure the proper, safe and efficient conduct of the mission," a spokesman for UN chief Ban Ki-moon, Eduardo del Buey, said.
"The departure of the team is now imminent."
Both sides of the conflict have accused each other of using chemical weapons. The UN says it has received up to 13 reports about the use of chemical weapons in the country.