OBITUARY POLICY

Under French pressure, key Mali rebel group splits

First Posted: 9/2/2013 (AP) A French intelligence estimate alleges that the Syrian regime launched an attack Aug. 21 involving "massive use of chemical agents" and could carry out other strikes of a similar nature in the future.
The government published a 9-page synopsis Monday about Syria's chemical weapons program that found that at least 281 deaths could be attributed to the attack in areas outside Damascus. The analysis based that count in part from dozens of videos culled by French intelligence services.
President Francois Hollande has backed a call from President Barack Obama for a military strike against Syrian President Bashar Assad's government in retaliation for the attack.
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault hosted lawmakers, his defense and foreign ministers, and intelligence and security officials Monday to discuss Syria.
<a title="Associated Press" href="http://www.ap.org" class="url org fn">Associated Press</a>

French intel: Syrian regime led chemical attack