The UK has suggested threatening tightly-focused sanctions on Russian and Syrian military officers. Syria has denied it carried out a chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun last week that left 89 people dead. Hours later a jet bombed the hospital in what the US believed was an attempt to cover up the attack, the agency said. Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May said during a phone call that it was no longer in Russia's strategic interest to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel meanwhile agreed with Trump that President Assad should be held accountable, the White House said.

Source: The Star April 11, 2017 06:45 UTC