All relevant parties of Syria issue should remain calm, show restraint: FM

Macron has ‘proof’ of Syrian govt chemical attack

China on Thursday expressed concern over rising tensions in Syria, and called on all relevant parties of the Syria issue to remain calm and show restraint.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a routine news briefing.

According to media reports, a Russian official said that Russia is ready to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria by the United States, while the US side threatened military options at any time.

“China is worried about the possibility of an escalation of tensions,” Geng said.

He said Foreign Minister Wang Yi had exchanged ideas on the current situation in Syria with visiting United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

China maintains contact on this issue with other members of the UN Security Council, including the US and Russia, as well as other regional countries, Geng added.

“China always insists on a peaceful settlement of disputes, opposes the use or threats of military force in international relations, and always advocates handling issues in accordance with the UN Charter,” the spokesperson said.

China called on all parties to the issue to ease tensions as soon as possible, Geng said.

President Donald Trump was evasive Thursday over when the US might fire missiles at Syria in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack, saying they could come at any time.

Tension was mounting among top world powers over the alleged chemical attack against civilians in the Syrian town of Douma.

France’s Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he had “proof” that the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons, and would respond to it “at a time of our choosing.”

One day after warning regimebacker Russia that “missiles will be coming” to Syria, Trump in another early morning tweet storm wrote: “Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!”

British Prime Minister Theresa May was due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting amid speculation she will support US action against the Syrian regime.

Germany’s Angela Merkel said it was “obvious” that Syria hadn’t eradicated its chemical arsenal as it had earlier claimed.

Meanwhile opponents of unilateral US action called an emergency closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council for Thursday.

The White House has said that Trump holds Assad’s regime and its military backers Russia responsible for an alleged attack on Douma on Saturday, which rescue workers said killed more than 40 people.

Trump on Wednesday slammed Russia for its military alliance with Assad, saying it should not “be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it.”

US officials have refused to rule out direct military engagement with Russia, with the White House saying that “all options are on the table.”

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday the Pentagon was ready to provide options for a Syria strike but that the US and its allies were still “assessing the intelligence” on the suspected chemical attack.

A special hotline for the US and Russian militaries to communicate about operations in Syria is active and being used by both sides, Moscow said Thursday.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that it was “crucial to avoid any steps that could lead to heightened tensions” in Syria, saying this would have an “extremely destructive influence” on attempts to resolve the conflict.