Syrian President Bashar al-Assad dismissed evidence the United States and France said shows his regime used chemical weapons on Syrian civilians, warning that any planned military response could result in a “regional war.”
In excerpts from an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro published Monday, Assad suggested it was illogical to think his army would have employed chemical weapons on Aug. 21 in Damascus, where its own soldiers were stationed.
“Someone who makes accusations needs proof,” Assad said, as translated by Al Jazeera. “We challenged the U.S. and France to show us proof. Mr. Obama and Hollande were incapable even when asked to do so by their own peoples.”
As for his response to a potential military strike on his country, Assad compared the Middle East to a “powder keg” and told Le Figaro that a first strike from the West could prompt responses from other corners of the region.
“Everyone will lose control of the situation when the powder keg explodes,” he said, as translated by Al Jazeera. “Chaos and extremism will be widespread. The risk of a regional war exists.”
