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US has 'some confidence' Syria used chemical weapons | US has 'some confidence' Syria used chemical weapons |
(about 1 hour 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. |
It was suspected that sarin gas had been used against rebels, he said while in the United Arab Emirates. | |
Mr Hagel said the use was "small scale", and did not give details. | |
The White House has warned chemical weapons use would be a "red line" for possible intervention, but says this intelligence does not represent proof. | The White House has warned chemical weapons use would be a "red line" for possible intervention, but says this 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 added. | |
'Red line crossed' | |
US Secretary of State John Kerry said 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 in Syria. | The UK Foreign Office echoed the US claims, saying it had "limited but persuasive information from various sources" of chemical weapons use in Syria. |
It is understood that Britain obtained samples from inside Syria which have been tested by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, Wiltshire. | It is understood that Britain obtained samples from inside Syria which have been tested by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, Wiltshire. |
"Material from inside Syria tested positive for sarin," a Foreign Office spokesman said. | "Material from inside Syria tested positive for sarin," a Foreign Office spokesman said. |
Syria is believed to possess large quantities 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 quantities 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. |
US President Barack 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. | The letter was sent to powerful US senators John McCain and Carl Levin. |
In response, Senator McCain told reporters: "It's pretty obvious that red line has been crossed." | In response, Senator 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 did not fall into the wrong hands. | 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 did not fall into the wrong hands. |
"It does not mean boots on the ground," the Arizona senator added. | "It does not mean boots on the ground," the Arizona senator added. |
'No-fly zone' | |
Democrat Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called for international action to help secure Syria's stockpile of chemical arms. | |
Robert Menendez, the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said options included "an internationally recognised no-fly zone, providing lethal assistance to vetted opposition forces, and sanctioning the transfer of arms to the regime". | |
White House officials said the US would consult with allies and seek more evidence to confirm their intelligence. | |
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, Brigadier General 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, Brigadier General 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. |
According to the UN, at least 70,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict. |