U.S.' threats to strike on Syrian govt forces based on alleged use of chemical weapons - Slutsky
MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - The United States' plans to strike on Syrian government forces over Damascus's alleged breach of the ban on using chemical weapons are targeted against the lawful administration of this country and play into the hands of terrorists, State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Leonid Slutsky told Interfax on Tuesday.
"Just yesterday the United States tried to accuse Russia of breaching UN Security Council resolution 2401, which requires a ceasefire in Syria. Today it is threatening with new attacks on positions of government forces over the alleged use of chlorine. No evidence has been given this time, either," Slutsky said.
Washington builds its policy for Damascus on speculations convenient for it, he said.
"Since the time Syria joined the Chemical Arms Convention in 2013, those weapons have been completely scrapped in the country's territory, which is confirmed by international inspectors," Slutsky said.
"Hence, all of those statements are another trick used by the United States for weakening Syrian forces, which plays into the hands of terrorists," he said.
"This is yet another proof that the war on terrorism is far from being the genuine goal of Washington," Slutsky said.