In response to mounting international concern, the Assad regime announced that it will not use its chemical weapons on Syrian anti-government forces. The New York Times reports that the regime has announced such weapons are considered “outside the bounds” of the type of fighting currently besetting Syria.
Foreign MInistry spokesman Jihad Makdissi, however, noted that the country could use the weapons — which remain under “secure guard” — in the case of “exterior aggression.” Makdissi said he believes the recent focus on Syria’s chemical weaponry “aims to justify and prepare the international community’s military intervention in Syria under the false pretext of W.M.D.”
