Posted on 09/02/2013 3:45:49 PM PDT by Libloather
Syrian President Bashar Assad warned Monday that a U.S. military strike on his country could spark a regional war.
Assad also challenged the U.S. and France to provide evidence of his regime's alleged use of chemical weapons against Syrian citizens.
In comments made to French newspaper Le Figaro, excerpts of which were published online Monday and reported by the Associated Press, Assad warned of potentially dire consequences to action by the U.S.
He said that the Middle East is a "powder keg" and that no one knows what might happen if the West launches a military attack on Syria.
He cautioned that "the whole world will lose control of the situation. Chaos and extremism will spread. The risk of a regional war exists."
Earlier Monday, the Syrian government urged the United Nations to prevent the U.S. from attacking the nation.
In Le Figaro, Assad also asserted that French and U.S. leaders should provide evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons. He charged that they "have been incapable of doing that, including before their own peoples."
The U.S. argues it has solid intelligence of the use of chemical weapons by Assad's regime. France has also offered evidence of a chemical attack, while NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday that he has been "presented with concrete information and…personally I am convinced" that the regime used chemical weapons.
President Obama has asked Congress to provide authorizaton for a strike against Syria because of the chemical attack.
His top aides are trying to convince Congress to back Obama.
Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel were among the officials on Monday briefing House Democrats on unclassified information supporting the administration's assertion that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons.
Kerry and Hagel will appear before House and Senate committees beginning Tuesday.
Kerry said Sunday that samples collected by first responders after the Aug. 21 attack tested positive for the toxic nerve gas Sarin.
It’s more of a problem than that. Russia is not going to sit idly by, China either. Iran? Naw.
I just don’t understand the motive. It’s obvious to everyone that military action is ridiculous, whats the real reason our government wants to go into Syria?
If the US congress does not find a way out itself, it appears WW3 is just
around the corner. Russia is massing an armada near Syria, more Jihadist
are gathering. Syria is putting human shields in prime target areas. Iran
is on high alert. Thanks to Obama, it appears WW3 is only one missile
lob away.
Dr. Strangelove returns.
Stop the insanity. Let Allah sort it out, or leave it to the French and Arab
Nations.
I believe the Saudis would like to build a natural gas pipeline through Syria.
This is Obama's war for a natural byproduct of oil.
I don’t want to see people die. But, if there is a strike on the U.S. I hope it’s on congress and the Wh.
The Saudis have been paying our politicians for years, now they want to collect what’s owed.
I guess there is an upside at that.
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