US on standby 'to launch military action' in Syria
The US is ready to launch military action in Syria "within days" if President Assad mobilises chemical weapons to use against rebel forces, The Times reports (£).
A US official told the newspaper: "It won’t require major movement to make action happen. The muscle is already there to be flexed.
“It’s premature to say what could happen if a decision is made to intervene. That hasn’t taken shape, we’ve not reached that kind of decision. There are a lot of options, but it [military action] could be launched rapidly, within days.”
Ex-US military chief's fears of Syria's chemical weapons
General Richard Myers has told ITV News that the real threat in Syria is from Islamist groups using chemical weapons - not President Assad.
NATO to deploy missiles to Syria/Turkey border
NATO agrees to deploys Patriot missiles along the Syria/Turkey border but denies claims that it is taking an active role in the conflict.