DHAKA: US state secretary John Kerry said the US is building an international coalition for a possible military strike against Syrian president Bashar Assad’s regime, as punishment for an alleged chemical weapons attack that killed at least 1,400 people.

‘We are building support with ... other countries, among them the Arab League,’ Kerry said amid efforts of the Obama administration to gain approval from Congress for such a strike.

Countries, the US has spoken to on the issue, include Turkey, France and some Arab states, Kerry said, reports The Jerusalem Post.

The US has spoken to some 100 countries about joining the coalition, the secretary of state said.

‘Thirty-one countries or organizations have stated publicly or privately that the Assad regime is responsible for this attack, and that was before our evidence package was put together,’ Kerry said.

‘And 34 countries or organizations have indicated that if the allegations prove to be true, they would support some form of action against Syria.’

BDST: 1456 HRS, SEPT 05, 2013
RoR/Jck