Vladimir Putin challenges US on Syria claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin has challenged the US to present to the UN evidence that Syria attacked rebels with chemical weapons near Damascus.

Mr Putin urged Mr Obama - as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate - to think about future victims in Syria before using force.

He said it was ridiculous to suggest the Syrian government was to blame for the attack, calling it a "provocation by those who want to drag other countries into the Syrian conflict". "Syrian government troops are on the offensive and have surrounded the opposition in several regions," he said. "in these conditions, to give a trump card to those who are calling for a military intervention is utter nonsense."

He said that the US failure to present evidence to the international community was "simply disrespectful".

source bbc news