Thursday 28 March 2024
 
»
 
»
MISSILE ATTACK

Nikki Haley speaks at the Security Council

US vows to do more in Syria 'if needed'

NEW YORK, April 8, 2017

The US is prepared to do more in Syria to prevent the use of chemical weapons, said its ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley following a US missile attack on Syiran air base. 
 
"But we hope that will not be necessary. It is in our vital national security interest to prevent the spread and use of chemical weapons," she told an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
 
At least six people are reported to have been killed in the US missile strikes early on Friday. 
 
According to Syria's opposition-run health authority, 89 people, including 33 children and 18 women, died in the suspected nerve agent attack in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun on Tuesday. Syria denies using nerve gas.
 
The US had acted to ensure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would never use chemical weapons again, she was quoted as saying by a BBC report.
 
She blamed Iran and Russia for standing by the Syrian government when it committed crimes. "Strengthening Assad will only lead to more murders," she said.
 
Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, Vladimir Safronkov, described the US strikes as "illegitimate".
 
"When you take your own path, this leads to horrible tragedies in the region," he told the Americans.
 
Meanehile, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he was preparing further economic sanctions against Syria.
 
The US is "disappointed but not surprised" at Russia's response to its strikes on a Syrian air base suspected of storing chemical weapons, said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
 
"It indicates their continued support for the Assad regime and, in particular, their continued support for a regime that carries out these type of horrendous attacks on their own people.
 
"So I find it very disappointing, but, sadly, I have to tell you, not all that surprising," he added.
 
Moscow has promised to strengthen Syria's anti-aircraft defences. It is also closing down a hotline with the US designed to avoid collisions between their air forces over Syria.



Tags: US | Syria | chemical |

More INTERNATIONAL NEWS Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads