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Syria regime behind gas attack: France

Send a clear message: NATO chief NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was convinced the chemical attack had taken place and that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime was responsible He called for a response that would “send a very clear message” against the use of chemical weapons, but said any military action should be “very short, sharp (and) tailored”

Paris, September 2
France was set today to provide what it says is clear evidence that the Syrian regime was behind a devastating chemical attack, as Western leaders bid to overcome widespread scepticism to military action.

With US President Barack Obama also lobbying Congress to back strikes, the Syrian regime said it remained on alert for a possible attack, urging the United Nations to “prevent any aggression” against it.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was personally convinced the chemical attack had taken place and that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime was responsible. He called for a response that would “send a very clear message” against the use of chemical weapons, but said any military action should be “very short, sharp (and) tailored”. French government sources said evidence proving the regime's involvement in the attack would be provided to top lawmakers at a meeting with Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

“We are going to give parliamentarians everything that we have -- classified until now -- so that each of them can take into account the reality of this unacceptable attack,” Ayrault said. A government source said lawmakers would be given “evidence of different kinds that will allow the regime to be clearly identified as responsible for the August 21 chemical attack”. The French Parliament is to hold a debate Wednesday on taking action on Syria, where more than 1,10,000 people have been killed in violence since an uprising against the regime began in March 2011. — AFP