PUTIN DEMANDS EVIDENCE OF CHEM. WEAPONS USED IN SYRIA

Moscow, 28 Shawwal 1434/4 September 2013 (MINA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that his country may support a Security Council resolution for a strike against Syria, but only if it can be proven that President Bashar al-Assad’s army used chemical weapons in Syria.

Russia has demanded convincing evidence that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons, Putin said. The country would not take decisive action unless evidence was presented to it, Egypt Independent reports.

The Russian president explained that his country has provided Damascus with some parts for a missile defense system, but it has frozen the rest of the shipments.

Russia is Syria’s largest military backer. It has a military base in the coastal city of Tartous in north-west Syria. Egypt independent reported monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

In addition to military support, Moscow used its veto to disrupt three resolutions condemning the Syrian regime at the UN Security Council .

This comes just days after U.S. President Barack Obama said he had decided to launch a military strike against Syria, requesting a mandate from Congress.

The US military warships are reportedly staying in the eastern Mediterranean as President Barack Obama is waiting for a congressional approval to attack Syria.

A defense official said that the five American guided-missile destroyers and one amphibious transport are going to continue to stay in place for now. (T/P01/P04).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)