WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) – U.S. and allied intelligence
agencies have made a preliminary assessment that Syrian
government forces used chemical weapons to attack an area near
Damascus this week and that the act likely had high-level
approval from President Bashar al-Assad’s government, according
to U.S. and European security sources.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned
that the assessment is preliminary and, at this stage, they are
still seeking conclusive proof, which could take days, weeks or
longer to gather.
President Barack Obama on Friday called the alleged attack,
which rebels say killed between 500 and 1,000 civilians, a “big
event of grave concern.” But he stressed he was in no rush to
embroil Americans in a costly new war.
(Reporting by Mark Hosenball; editing by Christopher Wilson)
