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'Growing evidence' of chemical weapons use in Syria - UK | 'Growing evidence' of chemical weapons use in Syria - UK |
(35 minutes later) | |
There is "limited but growing" evidence that Syrian government troops have used chemical weapons, UK Prime Minister David cameron says. | |
"It is extremely serious, this is a war crime," Mr Cameron told the BBC. | |
On Thursday, the White House said that US intelligence agencies believed "with varying degrees of confidence" that Syria had used the nerve agent sarin. | |
It said the gas had been deployed on a "small scale", but did not give details of where or when it had been used. | |
Mr Cameron said he agreed with the White House's warning that chemical weapons use would be a "red line" for possible intervention. | |
However, the US has said that this latest intelligence does not represent proof of chemical weapons use. | |
The White House's assessment was made in letters to lawmakers on Thursday signed by Miguel Rodriguez, White House director of the office of legislative affairs. | |
"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," one of the letters 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," one of the letters said. |
But it added: "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." | But it added: "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 phrase "varying degrees of confidence" is normally used to reflect differences in opinion within the intelligence community. | The phrase "varying degrees of confidence" is normally used to reflect differences in opinion within the intelligence community. |
Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the use of sarin "violates every convention of warfare". | |
'Red line crossed' | 'Red line crossed' |
US Secretary of State John Kerry said there had been two instances of chemical weapons use in Syria. | 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 that have been tested by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, Wiltshire. | It is understood that Britain obtained samples from inside Syria that 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. |
The letters released on Thursday were sent to powerful US senators John McCain and Carl Levin. | The letters released on Thursday were 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' | '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. | 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". | 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. | White House officials said the US would consult with allies and seek more evidence to confirm their intelligence. |
On Friday Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Zev Elkin hinted that the US should consider military action to "take control" of Syria's chemical weapons. | |
"It is clear that if the United States wants to and the international community wants to, it could act - inter alia, militarily... And then all the fears... will not be relevant," Mr Elkin told Israeli radio, according to Reuters. | |
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. |
Sarin is a colourless and highly toxic nerve agent that can cause convulsions, paralysis and death within minutes if it is absorbed through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with skin or eyes. | Sarin is a colourless and highly toxic nerve agent that can cause convulsions, paralysis and death within minutes if it is absorbed through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with skin or eyes. |
According to the UN, at least 70,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict. | According to the UN, at least 70,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict. |