Trump vows ‘major decisions’ on Syria

BEIRUT: US President Donald Trump on Monday pledged “major decisions” on Syria after a suspected chemical attack on a rebel-held town, as calls grew for an international response to the crisis. Trump condemned what he called a “heinous attack on innocent” Syrians in Douma, as he opened a cabinet meeting at the White House, adding that decisions would come in the “next 24-48 hours.” “This is about humanity — it can’t be allowed to happen,” he said. The Syrian government and it ally Russia have rejected claims of an attack, with Moscow arguing against jumping to any “dangerous” conclusions. Trump — who last year launched a missile strike on a Syrian base after another alleged chemical attack — warned on Sunday that there would be a “big price to pay”. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said that Washington does not “rule out anything”, while Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron vowed a “strong, joint response”. The crisis was due to be discussed later at an urgent UN Security Council meeting, with the US circulating a draft resolution for a new inquiry.