Chemical weapons used in Syria: Israeli official

JERUSALEM - The Associated Press

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a Syrian victim who suffered an alleged chemical attack at Khan al-Assal village according to SANA, receives treatment by doctors, at a hospital in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday March 19, 2013. AP Photo/SANA

A senior Israeli official says it is "apparently clear" that chemical weapons were recently used in Syria, either by the rebels or by the government, The Associated Press has reported.

The Wednesday remarks by Yuval Steinitz, the newly appointed minister of intelligence and strategic affairs, conflicts with U.S. assessments that there is no evidence behind accusations Tuesday traded between rebels and the regime of a chemical weapons attack in a village in the north of the country.
 
Steinitz, who was speaking to Army Radio, did not say how he came to the conclusion that the weapons were used.

He said it will be a main topic in talks with visiting President Barak Obama. Israel has long expressed concerns that Syria's chemical stockpile could reach militant groups like Hezbollah or al-Qaida-inspired organizations.