World reacts to US strikes, with many expressing supportABC News, Apr 7, 2017, Paul Blake and TOM KUTSCH
The U.S. decision to initiate airstrikes Thursday against a Syrian air base in retaliation for Tuesday's chemical attacks -- which were reportedly launched from the base -- was praised by many world leaders but denounced by others, including supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Shortly after the strikes, which consisted of 59 tomahawk missiles fired from two U.S. naval ships, Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu said President Donald Trump "sent a strong and clear message today that the use and spread of chemical weapons will not be tolerated."
The Israeli leader said that his country "fully supports President Trump's decision" and that it "hopes that his message of resolve in the face of the Assad regime's horrific actions will resonate not only in Damascus, but in Tehran, Pyongyang and elsewhere."
Saudi Arabia and Turkey, regional U.S. allies who have long called for Assad's departure in Syria, praised the U.S. strike as well.
A statement from Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said the airstrikes were a "courageous decision" to respond to "the crimes of this regime to its people in light of the failure of the international community to stop it."
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu went a step further, supporting the strike but saying that the "regime must be removed from leading Syria as soon as possible and the best way to do that is by starting the transitional process."
In a joint statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande said that "President Assad alone carries responsibility for these developments" because of his "repeated use of chemical weapons and his crimes against his own people."
British Prime Minister Theresa May's office said in a statement that the strikes were "an appropriate response to the barbaric chemical weapons attack launched by the Syrian regime, and is intended to deter further attacks."
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the military action "a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response. It sends a strong message to the Assad regime." But he added, "We are not at war with the Assad regime and the United States have made it clear that they are not seeking to overthrow the Assad regime."
However, several countries expressed outrage at the U.S. strikes.
Iran, which along with Russia has been a major backer of Assad and critical of international efforts to unseat his government, condemned a "unilateral action that is dangerous, destructive and violates the principles of international law."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/netanyahu-trump-strong-message-syria-strikes/story?id=46640915
