BEIRUT/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Syria hailed a “historic American retreat” yesterday, mockingly accusing President Barack Obama of hesitation and confusion after he delayed a military response to last month’s chemical weapons attack near Damascus until after a congressional vote.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said tests had shown sarin nerve gas was fired on rebel-held areas on Aug. 21, and expressed confidence that U.S. lawmakers would do “what is right” in response.
Washington says more than 1,400 people, many of them children, were killed in the attack.