Kerry: Netanyahu Can’t Confirm Syria Chemical Weapons Use

Local Editor

US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed Tuesday that "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not been able to confirm to him on Tuesday that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons.

"I think it is fair to say [the "Israeli" prime minister] was not in a position to confirm that in the conversation," Kerry said, explaining that he had telephoned Netanyahu following reports of their use.

"I do not know yet what the facts are," he told a press conference.
Earlier Tuesday, senior "Israeli" army officials claimed Damascus had used chemical weapons.

"To the best of our professional understanding, the regime has made use of deadly chemical weapons against the rebels in a number of incidents in the last few months," claimed "Israeli" Brigadier General Itai Brun, head of the research and analysis division of military intelligence.

In response, Kerry said that allegations made about the use of chemical weapons "have to be thoroughly investigated."
A spokesman for US War Secretary Chuck Hagel, who is on a visit to "Israel", recalled Kerry's stance.
"The United States continues to assess reports of chemical weapons in Syria," Hagel spokesman George Little said in a statement.

He also warned the regime against the use of chemical agents or allowing them to "fall into the hands of groups like Hizbullah which is backed by Iran and whose fighters are in action against the rebels."

Earlier Tuesday, Kerry told a meeting of NATO foreign ministers that the alliance must be aware of the threats from Syria, including the possible use of chemical weapons.

Stressing that he was not calling for any active planning, Kerry said "we should ... carefully and collectively consider how NATO is prepared to respond to protect its members from a Syrian threat, including any potential chemical weapons threat."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org