US threats to Syria over potential chemical attack unacceptable

Moscow June 27 (IANS) Threats by the US to the Syrian regime warning of the consequences of a possible chemical weapons attack were unacceptable the Russian government said on Tuesday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media that he was unaware of any information about the possibility that government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would use chemical weapons against the opposition and added that Moscow considered the use of such weapons unacceptable and illegitimate reports Efe news.

Certainly we consider such threats to the legitimate leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic unacceptable Peskov said.

The White House on Monday warned Damascus that it would pay a heavy price if it conducted a chemical attack.

On Monday night White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement that al-Assad appeared to be preparing another chemical weapons attack by taking actions similar to the ones that preceded the attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun on April 4 which the US alleges was ordered by the Syrian strongman.

The bombing which allegedly involved the nerve agent sarin gas killed at least 100 people and injured over 500 including many children.

US President Donald Trump then decided to bomb the regime-held al-Shayrat airfield with 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles in retaliation.

--IANS
ksk/vt