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(Image source: Wikimedia Commons / DFID)
BY MATT PICHT
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron announced Thursday he has evidence sarin nerve gas was
used in the Aug. 21 chemical attack in Syria.
Cameron told reporters British scientists found traces of sarin gas in soil and clothing
samples taken from the site of the infamous attack that killed 1,400 people. (Via BBC)
The announcement comes as Cameron joins other world leaders at the G20 summit in Russia,
where Syria is expected to be a topic of heated debate. (Via Euronews)
Britain is the third major Western power, behind the U.S. and France, to confirm the
use of sarin gas in the attack. Even so, Cameron admits this probably won't change international
opinion about the Syrian crisis.
"I don't think anyone is seriously denying that a chemical weapons attack took place.
I think the Russians accept that. Even the Iranians accept that. The question is obviously
convincing more people that the regime was responsible." (Via The Guardian)
Cameron's own role in the debate has been severely hampered after his own government
voted against British military involvement in Syria, despite the prime minister's wishes.
(Via CBS)
The New York Times says Cameron's Parliamentary defeat "ended a period of foreign policy leadership"
and "provoked a kind of existential crisis" for a country that "prides itself on its 'special
relationship' with Washington."
Cameron accused his opposition of failing to take a stand, saying "they chose the easy
and political path, not the right and the difficult path." (Via The Telegraph)
Still, Cameron denies the notion Britain has been sidelined in the Syrian debate. He told
Channel 4 he would continue to push for humanitarian aid to the war-stricken country.
"When you live in a democracy, in a Parliamentary democracy, you respect the will of Parliament.
So Britain will continue with all of its important work on Syria, but on this one issue — military
action — Britain won't be involved."
The G20 summit concludes Friday, Sept. 6.