World leaders divided over response to Syria 'chemical massacre'

Reuters 2013-08-27

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The second U.N. inspection visit to sites of an alleged chemical attack in the suburbs of Damascus has been postponed to Wednesday.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has strongly denied carrying out the August 21 assaults, which left hundreds dead and many more injured.

But the attacks have drawn threats of military retaliation from Western allies that could turn the tide against him in Syria's two and a half year old conflict.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who is in talks with U.S. President Barack Obama, said the world had to take action to prevent future chemical attacks.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER, KEVIN RUDD, SAYING:

"I do not believe the world can simply turn a blind eye to the use of chemical weapons against a civilian population resulting in nearly 300 deaths or more, and some 3,600 people hospitalised."

Chinese state TV said Foreign Minister Wang Yi supported an independent and objective investigation by U.N. exp

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