White House says Russia blocking action in the U.N. so Obama “will make a decision on the appropriate response based on the national security interests of the United States.”
by deborah.charles edited by Margarita Noriega (Reuters) 12:38 PM
State Dept. spokeswoman says U.S. intelligence supports two “facts” - chemical weapons were used Aug. 21 in Syria and Assad’s forces were responsible
by toby.zakaria 12:36 PM
RT:
Thursday, August 29
17:14 GMT: The UN investigators will return to Syria and continue investigation of the use of chemical weapons after reporting to UN headquarters, UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.
Meanwhile, the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the investigators have not yet determined what substance was used in the alleged attack and are awaiting the results of the analysis.
Brahimi refused to comment on reports of an imminent Western strike on Syria, saying he has “no knowledge” of the issue.
17:00 GMT: The five permanent members of the UN Security Council will meet again Thursday to discuss the alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria, Reuters cited a UN diplomatic source as saying.
The meeting of Russian, Chinese, French, US and UK representatives will take place at 18:30 GMT, the source said on condition of anonymity.
The meeting was reportedly requested by Russia.
16:38 GMT: Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his government supports military in Syria over chemical weapons, but that Canada had no plans to send troops.
Harper said there was a risk the alleged chemical weapons attack could set an “extremely dangerous precedent” if the international community did not act.