France pins chemical attack on Syrian regime

                 

Declassified intelligence report says regime planned "coordinated assault" and then tried to wipe out evidence. Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad carried out a "massive and coordinated" chemical attack on August 21, according to a declassified French intelligence report The nine-page document, released on Monday, lays out five points that suggest Assad was behind the attacks in suburbs of the capital, Damascus.  The AFP news agency quoted the report as saying: "The Syrian regime launched an attack on some suburbs of Damascus held by units of the opposition, combining conventional means with the massive use of chemical agents." "We believe the Syrian opposition does not have the capacity to carry out an operation of such magnitude with chemical agents," it said. It said that based on video reports, French intelligence had counted at least 281 dead but that reports of up to 1,500 killed were consistent with such  heavy use of chemical weapons. US estimates are 1,429 dead, including more than 400 children. "The attack on August 21 could only have been ordered and carried out by the regime," the report said, adding that the affected areas were then heavilly shelled to destroy evidence of the chemical attack. At a news briefing, Jean Marc Ayrault, the French prime minister, said: "On the 21st of August the regime of Assad used massive chemical weapons for the oppression of his people." "No one denies the reality. Elements we have obtained allow us to hold the regime responsible. This act cannot remain unanswered. "What is at stake is to discourage all from using such weapons again. To dissuade Assad from using them again by applying firm action. "Our aim is not to overthrow the regime. There will only be a political solution in Syria. It is not for France to act alone. France respects international law."