Off the wire
• Exit of key minister not to change Brazil's economic policy: official  • Peru's new president issues national call for reconstruction  • Mexican exports rise 12.3 pct in February  • Exit of key minister not to change Brazil's economic policy: official  • Peru's new president issues national call for reconstruction  • Mexican exports rise 12.3 pct in February  • Exit of key minister not to change Brazil's economic policy: official  • Peru's new president issues national call for reconstruction  • Mexican exports rise 12.3 pct in February  • Exit of key minister not to change Brazil's economic policy: official  
You are here: 　

2nd LD Writethru: Trump says to make Syria decision in 24-48 hours

Xinhua,April 10, 2018 Adjust font size:

WASHINGTON, April 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that his administration will make a decision on Syria in the next 24 to 48 hours.

The reported chemical weapon attack in Syria was "atrocious" and "horrible," Trump said in a cabinet meeting broadcast live on TV. "We'll be making that decision very quickly. Probably by the end of today. We cannot allow atrocities like that."

"If it's the Russians, if it's Syria, if it's Iran, if it's all of them together, we'll figure it out," he said.

On Saturday, activists said the Syrian forces used chlorine gas in an attack against Douma, the last rebel-held area in the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus, killing at least 40 people. The Syrian government strongly denied the accusation on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Trump condemned the suspected chemical attack and held the Syrian government accountable, according to a White House statement.

In a tweet on Sunday morning, he also held Russia and Iran responsible for backing the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad, threatening a "big price" to be paid.

The unexpected rhetoric has sparked concerns over the prospect of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Syria that Trump has reiterated recently.

Speaking of military action against the Syrian government, Trump told Monday's cabinet meeting that "nothing is off the table."

Earlier on Monday, U.S. defense chief James Mattis said Washington has not ruled out launching airstrikes against Damascus.

"The first thing we have to look at is why are chemical weapons still being used at all when Russia was the framework guarantor of removing all chemical weapons," Mattis said.

U.S. media reported that National Security Council principals are holding a "small group" meeting to discuss Syria on Monday, led by John Bolton on his first official day as White House national security adviser.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday refuted reports purporting that Syrian government forces used chemical weapons in Douma, calling the allegation "fabrication" and "provocation." Enditem

 

Related News & Photos