Boris Johnson calls for strong and robust international response to deadly chemical attack in Douma, Syria
Boris Johnson has said there must be a “strong and robust international response” to the alleged chemical attack in a Syrian suburb this weekend, in which at least 48 people were killed.
The foreign secretary spoke with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian this morning, with the pair noting that the Assad regime had been responsible for using poison gas on at least four separate attacks since 2014 “and agreed that those responsible for this attack must be held to account”, an FCO spokesperson said.
The pair were speaking ahead of today’s emergency meeting of the United Nations’ Security Council.
The spokesperson added:
They both condemned the use of chemical weapons by anyone anywhere and they agreed to work together to stand up for the Chemical Weapons Convention and to ensure that there was no impunity for those that use such barbaric weapons. They agreed that today’s meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York would be an important next step in determining the international response and that a full range of options should be on the table.
These sentiments were echoed by a spokesman for the Prime Minister, who said the government was “swiftly working with our allies to agree a common position”, adding that if “clear, verified evidence” were found ministers would “look at a range of options”.
He declined to comment on whether that would include military intervention such as air strikes, or whether Theresa May would seek a parliamentary vote on such matters, but confirmed the UK was not involved in the last night’s air strike.
David Cameron was defeated in 2013 when he put this topic to MPs.
During a phone call last night, the US President Trump and the French President Macron agreed to share information about the nature of the attack on Douma, just outside Damascus, the White House said on Sunday.
They agreed that Bashar Al-Assad’s regime “must be held accountable for its continued human rights abuses,” the White House added.
Earlier in the day, Trump posted a series of characteristically forthright tweets, condemning “Animal Assad”, but also accusing his precessor of not sticking to his threats about the “red line”.
Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price…— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
….to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
If President Obama had crossed his stated Red Line In The Sand, the Syrian disaster would have ended long ago! Animal Assad would have been history!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018
Macron “strongly condemned the chemical attacks on April 7 against the population of Douma,” according to a statement from the Elysee Palace obtained by AFP.