Barack Obama: Syria chemical weapon claims ‘of grave concern’...

President Barack Obama is ‘troubled’ by claims chemical weapons were used in Syria.

Barack Obama has said claims of a chemical weapons attack in war-torn Syria is a ‘big event of grave concern’.
The US president said the unconfirmed reports of the use of toxic gas that left an estimated 1,300 dead are ‘very troublesome’ and are going to ‘require America’s attention’.
‘What we’ve seen indicates clearly this is a big event, of grave concern, and we are already in communications with the entire international community,’ he told CNN.
Obama said the US had ‘core national interests’ in the Syrian conflict, both in terms of stopping the production of weapons of mass destruction and protecting their allies.
But he added: ‘The notion that the US can somehow solve what is a sectarian, complex problem inside of Syria sometimes is overstated.
‘We don’t expect co-operation [from Syria] given their past history.’
The US has previously confirmed chemical weapons use in Syria, a step Mr Obama has said would cross a ‘red line’.

Foreign secretary William Hague has urged international supporters of the Syrian regime to ‘wake up to…its murderous and barbaric nature’ (Picture: PA)

It comes as foreign secretary William Hague confirmed ‘urgent’ talks with key international figures over the latest developments.
He warned ‘time is of the essence’ ahead of a meeting with United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon, US secretary of state John Kerry and Qatar’s foreign minister.
They are pressing Bashar al-Assad’s regime to allow UN weapons inspectors already in the region to inspect the site of deadly attack on the outskirts of Damascus.

Mr Hague wrote on Twitter: ‘Urgent discussions today with UN Secretary General, Secretary Kerry and FM of Qatar on Syria chemical attacks.
‘We are pressing for immediate access for the UN team and consulting allies on response to this terrible atrocity.
‘Time is of the essence. Every day without UN access is a day in which evidence can deteriorate or be hidden by those responsible.’

A man and woman mourn over the dead bodies of Syrian men after the alleged poisonous gas attack (Picture: AP /Local Committee of Arbeen)

Opposition leaders said thousands died, many of them children, when rockets loaded with toxins landed on Ghouta on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday.