US says Assad should have ‘no role’ in wake of attack
Syrian president Bashar al-assad should have ‘no role’ in leading his country following the suspected deadly chemical attack, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said last night.
President Trump called the outrage which killed 80 civilians “a disgrace to humanity” ahead of meetings to discuss a potential military response by the US.
Syrian ally Russia meanwhile demanded an investigation.
The US said it sees “no future” for Syrian leader president Basharal-assad and said it was considering military action in Syria as global condemnation hardened for Wednesday’s suspected chemical attack in the north of the country.
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said there was “no doubt” that the Syrian government was responsible for attacks which killed more than 80 people, some of them children.
Speaking on board Air Force One, President Donald Trump appeared to call for Mr Assad to step down after the attack.
He said that what happened in Syria is “a disgrace to humanity.” Asked if Mr Assad should go, Mr Trump said, “He’s there, and I guess he’s running things so something should happen.”
Meanwhile, even key ally Russia said its support for the Assad government was not unconditional.
Turkey said samples from victims of Tuesday’s attack on the northern oppositionheld town of Khan Sheikhoun indicate they were exposed to sarin, a highly toxic nerve agent.
Syria rejected the accusations, and Moscow warned against apportioning blame until an investigation had been carried out.
The Pentagon was last night presenting options to Mr Trump over possible military action in the region, including the possible creation of “safe zones”, which Mr Tillerson said was under discussion with other world leaders.
He said:” There is no doubt in our minds that Syria and its leadership are responsible for these attacks. Furthermore, it is very important that the Russian government considers very carefully their support.”
Talks continued last night at Unheadquarters on a security Council resolution that would condemn the attack.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “unconditional support is not possible in this current world.” He added: “It is not correct to say that Moscow can convince Mr Assad to do whatever is wanted in Moscow. This is totally wrong.”
Russia has provided military support for the Syrian government since September 2015, turning the balance of power in Mr Assad’s favour. Moscow has used its veto power at the Security Council on several occasions since the civil war began six years ago to prevent sanctions against Damascus.
The two countries “enjoy a relationship of cooperation, of exchange of views and full mutual support,” said Mr Peskov. Assad and his army are “the only real power in Syria that can resist terrorists on the ground,” he said.
The Syrian government maintains it did not use chemical weapons, instead blaming opposition fighters for stockpiling the chemicals. Russia’s Defence Ministry said the toxic agents were released when a Syrian airstrike hit a rebel chemical weapons arsenal and munitions factory.
“I stress, once again, that the Syrian Arab Army did not and will not use such weapons even against the terrorists who are targeting our people,” Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said in Damascus.
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel welcomed Trump’s strong condemnation, but warned against a military escalation.