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(Image source: CNN)
BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN AND CHARLIE MCKEAGUE
No boots on the ground, but U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned against inaction
in Syria. Friday he called Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad a "thug" and a "murderer."
"I know the American people are tired of war — I am, too. But fatigue does not absolve
us of our responsibility." (Via C-SPAN)
"We know the Assad regime has the largest chemical weapons program in the entire Middle
East." (Via Fox News)
Kerry said it's the United States' belief that at least 1,429 Syrians were killed in
a chemical weapons attack on civilians — including 426 children. (Via ABC)
"This crime against conscience, this crime against humanity ... It matters to who we
are. ... My friends, it matters here if nothing is done." (Via CNN)
Kerry didn't take questions after the nearly 20-minute-long statement. He referenced Afghanistan,
Iraq and Libya in emphasizing any U.S. action in Syria would not be open-ended.