LONDON
British Foreign Secretary William Hague stated that the UK was considering its options regarding the chemical weapon usage in Syria, and that it would be possible to respond without the unanimous backing of the UN.
"Diplomatic pressure has not worked on Syria", Hague told BBC radio 4 Today's programme, saying any response would be "in accordance with international law."
Hague criticized the UN Security Council (UNSC), split over Syria, saying it had not "shouldered its responsibilities."
Hague had stated on Sunday that evidence of chemical weapons usage in Syria could have become degraded over the last few days and other evidence could have been tampered with.
After the Syrian regime issued permission on Sunday for the UN team on the ground to investigate the area where the chemical weapons attack occurred, Hague stated that they have to be realistic now about what the UN team can achieve.
Hague had said they believe that the Assad regime was responsible for the chemical attack.
Britain, along with the US, had formerly warned the Syrian regime about giving a 'serious reaction' if the usage of chemical weapons were proved. British Prime Minister David Cameron and US president Barrack Obama held a 40 minute telephone conversation on Sunday over the Syrian crisis.
- France will decide on Syria soon
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Monday said France would take a decision on Syria in coming days and added "all options including military intervention were being assessed".
On French radio, Europe 1, regarding a possible military intervention to Syria, Fabius pointed out that the pressure on Damascus is higher than ever.
Fabius said, France will assess its reactions in a restrained, determined and cold-blooded way and reach a decision in the coming days".
On Sunday, Fabius said that a "reaction with force" would be needed if it were proven that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons against its people.
In an official visit to Israel, Fabius called on the international community to react to the latest incidents in Syria.
"If the international community does not respond, people will wonder who is trustworthy" said Fabius.
- Germany will back consequences over Syria chemical attack
On the other hand, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Monday that Germany would support the "consequences" against the Syrian regime if the use of chemical weapons is confirmed.
"The use of mass destruction would be a crime against civilization," Westerwelle said in the Berlin conference of German ambassadors.
Westerwelle added that if the attack is confirmed, Germany would then be among those who would support the consequences.
"In this regard, we are in close communications with the UN and our allies," said Westerwelle.
Indicating that It was high time for UN inspectors to go to the crime scene, Westerwelle said the Syrian regime had been too late in giving permission for an investigation.
Westerwelle also reiterated his call for a diplomatic solution in Syria.
On Wednesday, Syrian opposition coalition blamed the Syrian regime forces of carrying out a chemical weapon attack in suburbs of capital Damascus, which killed at least 1,300 people.
But the Syrian regime strongly denied the allegations and described reports and figures as "lies and groundless," saying reports were aimed at "distracting a visiting team of United Nations chemical weapons experts from their mission."
