Nikki Haley accuses Russia of shielding Syria over chemical attacks

Recent attacks have included a reported chlorine attack last week in Eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus that injured over 20 civilians.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement Monday evening saying it is "gravely alarmed by continued allegations of the use of chlorine gas" by the Syrian government.

The open meeting was scheduled to be held behind closed doors, but the U.S., at the last minute Monday, asked for the session to be televised.

The Trump administration says that Assad's government may be developing new, more sophisticated chemical weapons. The characteristics of recent alleged attacks suggest Syria is producing chemical weapons despite a 2013 deal to destroy its program, according to officials, who say it's "highly likely" that Syria kept a stockpile of weapons.

And, the situation in Syria is deteriorating. More than 5.4 million people have fled the country since 2011 while millions more are displaced inside Syria, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency. Over 13 million people inside the country are in need, and nearly 3 million are in areas the U.N. describes as hard-to-reach and besieged. The conflict has put many children in serious danger.