Chemical weapons could be used by Assad’s regime in Syria

Former ambassador to Iraq and one of the most Syrian politicians to defect to the opposition, Nawaf Fares, told BBC that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is unlikely to hold back when using chemical weapons if left trapped.

Fares said that there was a possibility that such chemical weapons may have already been used according to unconfirmed reports in the city of Homs adding that the regime may have also collaborated with al-Qaeda to plan major bombings across Syria.

Talks are due to be held between UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is a key ally of Syria and has vetoed sanctions to be imposed on the country.

China has also joined Russia in vetoing the sanctions but will be holding talks in Beijing with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss possible solutions as aid operations in Syria have been blocked.