New York( CNN) US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the United States was prepared to sustain its pressure on Syria after a night of military strikes meant to cripple the country's ability to use chemical weapons, as Russia accused Washington of “hooliganism” and a major breach of international law.
“The United States is locked and loaded, ” she said. “When our President depicts a red line, our President enforces a red line.”
Haley blasted Russia for protecting Syria and said Moscow has emboldened Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime to continue its attacks, while the Russian ambassador to the UN said Washington had embarked on an “illegal military adventure.”
Syria's chemical weapons program must be ended and its chemical weapons stockpiles destroyed once and for all. There must be an immediate cessation of antagonisms, in compliance with all Members of the council resolutions. Syria must return to so-called Geneva peace talks and agree to a substantial agenda put forward by the UN Special Envoy. There must be accountability for the use of chemical weapons and other war crimes.
