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Turkey claims evidence of Syrian chemical weapons use Turkey claims evidence of Syrian chemical weapons use
(about 1 hour later)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told US media he has evidence that Syria employed chemical weapons against opposition forces.Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told US media he has evidence that Syria employed chemical weapons against opposition forces.
He cited as proof the discovery of missile remains and added that Syrian patients brought to Turkey "were wounded by these chemical weapons".He cited as proof the discovery of missile remains and added that Syrian patients brought to Turkey "were wounded by these chemical weapons".
Mr Erdogan rejected the idea that the weapons could have been used by rebels.Mr Erdogan rejected the idea that the weapons could have been used by rebels.
This contradicts an earlier claim by a UN expert who said there were "concrete suspicions" that rebels used nerve gas.This contradicts an earlier claim by a UN expert who said there were "concrete suspicions" that rebels used nerve gas.
Carla del Ponte, who serves on the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said testimony from victims strongly suggested that opposition fighters had used sarin, an extremely potent chemical nerve agent - although there was "no incontrovertible proof".Carla del Ponte, who serves on the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said testimony from victims strongly suggested that opposition fighters had used sarin, an extremely potent chemical nerve agent - although there was "no incontrovertible proof".
However, the commission later stressed that it had "not reached conclusive findings" as to their use by any parties.However, the commission later stressed that it had "not reached conclusive findings" as to their use by any parties.
Red line 'crossed'Red line 'crossed'
Mr Erdogan said he did not think that the rebels had access to chemical weapons.Mr Erdogan said he did not think that the rebels had access to chemical weapons.
"There is no way I can believe in this now," he said in an interview with American broadcaster NBC."There is no way I can believe in this now," he said in an interview with American broadcaster NBC.
"First of all, how are they going to obtain this? And who will give this to them? But if it exists, we are against this. We are against whoever holds the weapons.""First of all, how are they going to obtain this? And who will give this to them? But if it exists, we are against this. We are against whoever holds the weapons."
He said Turkish intelligence had determined that the government of President Bashar al-Assad had used at least 200 chemical missiles.He said Turkish intelligence had determined that the government of President Bashar al-Assad had used at least 200 chemical missiles.
"We have the remainders of these missiles, there are pictures and then there are intelligence reports," he said."We have the remainders of these missiles, there are pictures and then there are intelligence reports," he said.
"And there are patients who are brought to our hospitals who were wounded by these chemical weapons.""And there are patients who are brought to our hospitals who were wounded by these chemical weapons."
He did not give details on the type of chemical weapons he believed Syria had used.He did not give details on the type of chemical weapons he believed Syria had used.
Last month, the White House said intelligence agencies believed "with varying degrees of confidence" that Syria has used chemical weapons against rebels.Last month, the White House said intelligence agencies believed "with varying degrees of confidence" that Syria has used chemical weapons against rebels.
President Barack Obama warned that chemical weapons use would be a "red line" for possible intervention, but said existent intelligence did not represent sufficient proof.President Barack Obama warned that chemical weapons use would be a "red line" for possible intervention, but said existent intelligence did not represent sufficient proof.
The Turkish prime minister, however, said he believed that Syria had crossed the red line "a long time ago".The Turkish prime minister, however, said he believed that Syria had crossed the red line "a long time ago".
Mr Erdogan, who is due to meet Mr Obama next week, called on the US to take stronger action.Mr Erdogan, who is due to meet Mr Obama next week, called on the US to take stronger action.
"We want the United States to assume more responsibilities and take further steps. And what sort of steps they will take, we are going to talk about this"."We want the United States to assume more responsibilities and take further steps. And what sort of steps they will take, we are going to talk about this".
'Limited but persuasive'
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron has held talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, one of Syria's closest allies.
The visit came after Mr Cameron told British MPs that there was "a growing body of limited but persuasive information that Syria has used and continues to use chemical weapons, including sarin".
Britain has increased support to rebels and called for President Assad to step down.
Russia has opposed further action against Damascus, and has expressed concerns about the prospect of a political vacuum and the rise of Islamist extremist groups in the event of the government's collapse.
Speaking after Friday's talks, Mr Cameron said the two countries had made "real progress" in discussions he described as "substantive, purposeful and frank".
He said they had a "common interest" in stabilising Syria and preventing the growth of extremism.
Mr Cameron also welcomed Russia's recent agreement to convene an international conference to find a political solution to the crisis.
Russia gave its backing to the conference after a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this week.
Mr Kerry said later it was "very significant" that Mr Lavrov had said Moscow "was not tied to any one person" and had backed the idea of transitional government.
The conference will try to persuade both the Syrian government and opposition to accept the establishment of a transitional government that could include officials serving under President Bashar al-Assad as well as members of the opposition.
More than 70,000 people are believed to have died since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011.More than 70,000 people are believed to have died since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011.