International reactions to the Ghouta chemical attack

The U.S. has credible information that Russia and Syria are trying to "sanitize" the site of a suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria, the State Department has said.

European Union foreign ministers on April 16 backed "all efforts" to stop Syria using chemical weapons, after weekend strikes by Britain, France and the U.S., but called for renewed efforts to find a political solution to the seven-year war.

While NATO has issued a strong statement of support for its three allies which launched a military strike against Syria over the suspected chemical attack of last weekend, the United Nations called for restraint.

BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on the Syria conflict (all times local):

2:50 p.m.

Russia's Foreign Ministry says the "smart" missiles that U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to send to Syria will destroy evidence of a suspected chemical weapons attack.

France will launch strikes if proof emerges that the Syrian regime has used banned chemical weapons against its civilians, President Emmanuel Macron has said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in Israel on April 21 that there can be "no doubt" Syria has retained some chemical weapons and warned President Bashar al-Assad's regime not to use them.

The U.S.'s strike on Syria in response to a chemical weapons attack was a "very measured step", Washington's envoy to the UN said April 7. 

"We took a very measured step last night. We are prepared to do more.

We hope that it will not be necessary," Ambassador Nikki Haley told the Security
Council. 

Many world countries gave their support to U.S. air strikes on Syria on April 7. 

Syria's armed forces "did not and will not" use chemical weapons, even against jihadist groups, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on Thursday, AFP reported.

Turkey has expressed hopes that Russia will not use its right to veto on a potential resolution at the United Nations Security Council following a deadly gas attack, allegedly conducted by the Syrian army, around Idlib that killed around 100 civilians.