M A I N   N E W S

US moves towards ‘limited’ Syria strike

Cairo, August 31
The US today moved closer to military intervention in Syria with President Barack Obama saying he was considering a "limited, narrow" strike without involving ground forces, even as Russia dismissed claims about the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime as "utter nonsense".

Obama said Washington was "looking at the possibility of a limited, narrow act" and there would be no "long-term campaign".

"We're not considering any open-ended commitment. We're not considering any boots-on-the-ground approach," said Obama. He emphasised that he had "not made any decisions" about what actions the US will take.

He said whatever the US does, it would not be a major operation. "We have consulted with allies. We have consulted with Congress," Obama said, indicating an attack is imminent. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin today challenged the US to present to the UN evidence that President Bashar al-Assad's regime was responsible for chemical weapon attacks. Speaking to journalists in Vladivostok, Putin said it was ridiculous to suggest the Assad regime was to blame for the August 21 attack.

"Syrian government troops are on the offensive... In these conditions, to give a trump card to those who are calling for a military intervention is utter nonsense," he said. "So I'm convinced that is nothing more than a provocation by those who want to drag other countries into the Syrian conflict."

Putin described the US failure to present evidence as "simply disrespectful". He said, "If there is evidence it should be shown. If it is not shown, then there isn't any." Russia, a key ally of Syria, has warned "any unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council" would be a "direct violation of international law". China and Russia have vetoed two previous draft resolutions on Syria.

Media reports quoting an official said that Syria expects a military attack "at any moment" and is ready to retaliate. Meanwhile, UN weapons inspectors, led by Ake Sellstrom, travelled to Lebanon today after visiting the site of the alleged attack in Syria and were expected to brief Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban has said he will present the findings of the experts to the UNSC, but he wants to wait until a final report is completed. — PTI