DHAKA: The European Parliament on Thursday urged a ‘clear, strong, targeted and united’ international response, including ‘deterrent measures’ if needed, to the chemical weapons attack that left hundreds dead in Syria last month.

In a resolution, the parliament noted that ‘different sources seem to indicate’ the Syrian regime was behind the August 21 attack which if proven, ‘is a flagrant breach of international law, a war crime and crime against humanity’.

‘The international community cannot remain idle,’ it added as Russia and the United States met in Geneva to discuss plans to secure and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal.

Welcoming the plan, the 751-seat assembly added that the use of such weapons ‘requires a clear, strong, targeted and united response, not excluding eventual deterrent measures’, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1812 HRS, SEPT 12, 2013
RoR/RIS