Japanese PM urges Assad to step down for alleged chemical weapons attack

TOKYO, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday he wants Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down amid allegations that his government used chemical weapons against rebel-held suburbs of Damascus, Kyodo News Agency reported, citing a Japanese official. Abe, who is currently in Doha, made his view known in a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, according to the report.
The premier's remarks came as Britain, France and the US appear to be preparing to launch military strikes against Syria following the alleged chemical weapons attack.
Abe was quoted by the official as saying he holds Assad's government "responsible for the worsening situation (in Syria) as it resorted to violence and took away the lives of innocent people." The prime minister urged the international community to make efforts to stop the violence in Syria, the report said.
The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons.
In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan will work closely with the US and other countries to help improve the deteriorating situation in Syria.
"The use of chemical weapons cannot be accepted under any circumstances and we are extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Syria," the top government spokesman told a press conference.
"Japan will closely cooperate with the US and other countries to improve the situation," Suga asserted. But he declined to comment on a possible US military action against the Syrian government for the alleged use of chemical weapons on its people, only saying, "We hope all the facts will be revealed by a United Nations team as soon as possible."(end) mk.rk KUNA 281926 Aug 13NNNN