World response

Britain

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "I do believe very strongly that the world must stand up against the use of chemical weapons."

Iran

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javed Zarif said in Baghdad that any US-led air strikes against Syria would be "illegal" under the United Nations Charter.

Vatican

Pope Francis lashed out at what he termed "commercial war to sell arms" as he led mass prayers in Saint Peter's Square for Syria this past weekend.

Israel

Israel deployed a battery of its Iron Dome missile defense system near Jerusalem as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls Israel "an island of tranquility, quiet and security" amid "the storm raging around us".

AFP

(China Daily 09/10/2013 page12)