Syria calls US claims on chemical weapons use 'lies'

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AFP Damascus
Last Updated : Jun 14 2013 | 5:45 PM IST
Syria today slammed Washington's claims that it had used chemical weapons in its fight against rebels, accusing the United States of "lies" based on "fabricated information".
"The White House published a statement full of lies about the use of chemical weapons in Syria, based on fabricated information, through which it is trying to hold the Syrian government responsible for such use," state news agency SANA quoted a foreign ministry official as saying.
The official said the US claims came "after reports affirming that armed terrorist groups active in Syria are in possession of deadly chemical weapons and the technology necessary to make them".
Washington said yesterday there was evidence that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons including sarin nerve gas in attacks that killed up to 150 people.
The US administration also said it would now provide "military support" to rebels, a decision condemned by Damascus.
"The American decision to arm armed terrorist groups demonstrates... The direct involvement of the United States in the Syrian bloodbath," the official said.
"This raises serious questions about their good faith when it comes to finding a political solution in Syria," the official added.
Washington and Moscow -- which is allied with the Syrian regime -- have been spearheading efforts to organise a conference in Geneva to find a political solution to the Syrian conflict.
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First Published: Jun 14 2013 | 5:45 PM IST

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