German FM holds Syrian government responsible for chemical attack

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Wednesday that evidences indicate that the Syrian government was behind the chemical weapons attack in August. Westerwelle said in an interview published by the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that research from the UN inspectors confirms Germany's assumptions that only the government of President Bashar al-Assad could have "the equipment and abilities to carry out the poison gas attack." The foreign minister's comments brought Germany's position on the issue closer to the stance taken by the United States, France, and the Great Britain which believe the Syrian government forces had carried out the attack. However, Germany has ruled out joining any military strike against Syria. Westerwelle told local media earlier that any German participation in the military operation had "neither been asked nor is it being considered." The UN fact-finding group has found "clear and convincing evidence" that Sarin gas was used in an incident that occurred on Aug. 21 in the Ghouta area on the outskirts of Damascus in which hundreds of people were reportedly killed, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters on Monday.