France promises proof Assad regime behind chemical attack
ASSOCIATED PRESS / APRIL 4
Victims of the suspected chemical weapons attack lie on the ground, in Khan Sheikhoun, in the northern province of Idlib, Syria. Israeli defense officials say Syrian President Bashar Assad still has up to three tons of chemical weapons.
PARIS >> France says it will provide proof within days that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime carried out the April 4 chemical attack in Syria that killed at least 90 people.
Speaking Wednesday evening on French TV, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said: “We will provide proof that the regime did indeed organize these strikes with chemical weapons.”
He said he couldn’t provide evidence now because analysis is still underway but added: “In a few days I’ll be able to provide proof.”
Assad has denied that he was behind the attack. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons arsenal in 2013.
Speaking Thursday, French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon called on the United Nations to punish those behind the attack and said “whoever uses chemical weapons should be condemned.”
