Egypt ‘gravely concerned’ over Syria strikes

Cairo: Egypt on Saturday said it was “gravely concerned” after the US, Britain and France launched strikes in Syria over a suspected toxic attack on a former opposition stronghold.

“Egypt expresses its grave concern on the current military escalation in Syrian because it implies consequences that affect safety of the brotherly Syrian people,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Egypt, a regional US ally, also called for a “transparent international investigation” into the purported use of chemical weapons in an attack last week on the town of Douma near the Syrian capital.

“Egypt calls on the international community and major countries to shoulder their responsibilities and push for a peaceful solution of the Syrian crisis, away from polarisation,” the ministry said.