US suspects Syria of chemical attack

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has said American intelligence believes “to some degree of varying confidence” that Syria has used chemical weapons. During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, he said it was suspected that sarin gas had been used against rebels. Mr Hagel said the use was “small scale” and did not specify where or when. The White House has warned chemical weapons use would be a“red line” for possible intervention, but said the intelligence does not represent proof. Mr Hagel, speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi, said the White House had informed two senators by letter that, within the past day, “our intelligence community does assess, with varying degrees of confidence, that the Syrian regimehas used chemical weapons on a small scale in Syria, specifically, the chemical agent sarin”. “It violates every convention of warfare,” the Pentagon chief said.