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| Sir Michael Fallon says UK backs future military action in retaliation to Assad regime using chemical weapons | Sir Michael Fallon says UK backs future military action in retaliation to Assad regime using chemical weapons |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has committed the UK to backing future military action in Syria in retaliation for any use of chemical weapons by Bashar al-Assad. | Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has committed the UK to backing future military action in Syria in retaliation for any use of chemical weapons by Bashar al-Assad. |
| Sir Michael said action should be justified, legal and proportionate but stated that in those circumstances the UK's support for US action by Donald Trump would be unwavering. | Sir Michael said action should be justified, legal and proportionate but stated that in those circumstances the UK's support for US action by Donald Trump would be unwavering. |
| It comes after the White House has said it has "potential" evidence that Assad's military forces are preparing for another chemical attack on rebel forces. | It comes after the White House has said it has "potential" evidence that Assad's military forces are preparing for another chemical attack on rebel forces. |
| Sir Michael told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "As always in war, the military action you use must be justified, it must be legal, it must proportionate, it must be necessary. In the last case it was. | Sir Michael told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "As always in war, the military action you use must be justified, it must be legal, it must proportionate, it must be necessary. In the last case it was. |
| "If the Americans take similar action again, I want to be very clear, we will support it." | "If the Americans take similar action again, I want to be very clear, we will support it." |
| He said the US has been monitoring the situation in Syria, but admitted it had not shared any specific evidence with the British Government about the regime preparations. | |
| Sir Michael explained that he expected to discuss the current position with US Defense Secretary General James Mattis when they meet at a gathering of Nato defence ministers later this week. | |
| He added: "Jim Mattis did review the various options with me last time before the final meeting with the President. | |
| "I shall be seeing Secretary Mattis at the Nato meeting on Thursday. This is one of the matters we expect to review." | |
| In a statement released late on Monday, the White House said preparations being taken by Syria were similar to those undertaken before an April 4 chemical attack that killed dozens of civilians and prompted Mr Trump to order a cruise missile strike on an air base. | |
| White House spokesman Sean Spicer added: "The United States has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children. | White House spokesman Sean Spicer added: "The United States has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children. |
| "If...Mr Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price." | "If...Mr Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price." |
| Sir Michael pointed out that Britain had backed the US administration when it mounted missile strikes against the regime following a chemical attack last April. | Sir Michael pointed out that Britain had backed the US administration when it mounted missile strikes against the regime following a chemical attack last April. |
| The strike on the Shayrat airfield in April came after a poison gas attack that killed 87 people in rebel-held territory, with the West blaming the Assad regime. | The strike on the Shayrat airfield in April came after a poison gas attack that killed 87 people in rebel-held territory, with the West blaming the Assad regime. |
| The Syrian ruler claimed in an interview that the April attack was a "100 percent fabrication" used to justify a US air strike. |