UN denies inspectors left Syria early amid fears of US strike
Obama convenes high-level meeting to discuss plans for possible military action; release of intelligence report to follow
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A UN spokesman denied reports on Friday that UN inspectors, who were looking into claims of alleged chemical attacks in Syria, had crossed over the border to Lebanon a daily earlier than expected.
“The team of experts has completed collecting evidence and testimony and is currently packing,” said Martin Nesirky. “The team will leave Damascus and Syria tomorrow (Saturday).”
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Friday that his government would not accept any preliminary or “partial findings” from the UN team. CNN reported later in the day that the inspectors would only release a final report.
US President Barack Obama is meeting with senior national security advisers at the White House to discuss plans for possible military action against Syria.
The meeting should be followed by the public release of a report on intelligence the US has gathered about last week’s deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria.
Obama says the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad perpetrated the attack. But he has yet to present definitive evidence to back up the assertion.
Secretary of State John Kerry will speak about the intelligence report and the broader situation in Syria on Friday.
Obama may also speak about Syria during the public portion of a White House meeting with Baltic leaders.
The Times of Israel Community.