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US has 'some confidence' Syria used chemical weapons US has 'some confidence' Syria used chemical weapons
(35 minutes later)
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has said American intelligence believes "to some degree of varying confidence" that Syria has used chemical weapons.US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has said American intelligence believes "to some degree of varying confidence" that Syria has used chemical weapons.
During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, he said it was suspected that sarin gas had been used against rebels.During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, he said it was suspected that sarin gas had been used against rebels.
Mr Hagel said the use was "small scale" and did not specify where or when.Mr Hagel said the use was "small scale" and did not specify where or when.
The White House has warned chemical weapons use would be a "red line" for possible intervention, but said the intelligence does not represent proof.The White House has warned chemical weapons use would be a "red line" for possible intervention, but said the intelligence does not represent proof.
Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Mr Hagel said "our intelligence community does assess, with varying degrees of confidence, that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons on a small scale in Syria, specifically, the chemical agent sarin".Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Mr Hagel said "our intelligence community does assess, with varying degrees of confidence, that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons on a small scale in Syria, specifically, the chemical agent sarin".
"It violates every convention of warfare," the Pentagon chief said."It violates every convention of warfare," the Pentagon chief said.
Red line 'crossed'
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Capitol Hill that there had been two instances of chemical weapons use in Syria.
The UK Foreign Office echoed the US claims, saying it had "limited but persuasive information from various sources" of chemical weapons use, including sarin, in Syria.
Syria is believed to possess large amounts of chemical weapons and there has been heightened concern among the international community in recent months about the safety of the stockpiles.Syria is believed to possess large amounts of chemical weapons and there has been heightened concern among the international community in recent months about the safety of the stockpiles.
Although there have been numerous accusations, there has so far not been any confirmation that chemical weapons have been used during Syria's two-year-old conflict.Although there have been numerous accusations, there has so far not been any confirmation that chemical weapons have been used during Syria's two-year-old conflict.
President Obama warned in December that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would face "consequences" if he used such weapons. US President Barack Obama warned in December that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would face "consequences" if he used such weapons.
In a letter on Thursday to lawmakers, Miguel Rodriguez, White House director of the office of legislative affairs, said: "Given the stakes involved, and what we have learned from our own recent experiences, intelligence assessments alone are not sufficient - only credible and corroborated facts that provide us with some degree of certainty will guide our decision-making."In a letter on Thursday to lawmakers, Miguel Rodriguez, White House director of the office of legislative affairs, said: "Given the stakes involved, and what we have learned from our own recent experiences, intelligence assessments alone are not sufficient - only credible and corroborated facts that provide us with some degree of certainty will guide our decision-making."
The letter was sent to powerful US senators John McCain and Carl Levin.
In response, Sen McCain told reporters: "It's pretty obvious that red line has been crossed."
He recommended arming the opposition, a step the White House has been reluctant to take. He also urged taking steps to ensure that Syria's chemical weapons do not fall into the wrong hands.
"It does not mean boots on the ground," the Arizona senator said.
On Tuesday, a senior Israeli military official accused Syrian forces of having used the nerve agent sarin against rebels several times.On Tuesday, a senior Israeli military official accused Syrian forces of having used the nerve agent sarin against rebels several times.
Speaking at a security conference in Jerusalem, Brig Gen Itai Brun cited photographs of victims foaming at the mouth and with constricted pupils and other unspecified symptoms.Speaking at a security conference in Jerusalem, Brig Gen Itai Brun cited photographs of victims foaming at the mouth and with constricted pupils and other unspecified symptoms.
Syria's government and rebels have accused each other of using chemical weapons. A UN team is trying to enter Syria to investigate.Syria's government and rebels have accused each other of using chemical weapons. A UN team is trying to enter Syria to investigate.