Bashar Al-Assad launched the chemical attack which killed hundreds of people because he 'lost his nerve' in a moment of panic and worried that Damascus would fall to rebel troops, according to new intelligence. In a telephone call which was tapped by German spy chiefs, a senior Hezbollah commander told the Iranian embassy in Lebanon that Syria's president intended to tilt the balance of power towards the regime in the battle for control of the country's capital. However, it appears that the chemical attack backfired, as it looks set to prompt a major intervention from American and French troops aimed at crippling Assad's military capabilities.
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Claim by Hezbollah commander intercepted by German intelligence agency
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But Assad's attempt to crush the rebels failed as West prepares to attack
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Obama says 'international credibility is on the line' over its response
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Russia has announced the deployment of a cruiser in the eastern Med
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Putin yesterday warned U.S. against attacking Syria and provoking conflict
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The Pope has summoned all diplomats to a meeting in a bid to stop the war
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American and French lawmakers set to vote on any intervention
The German intelligence came as Vladimir Putin warned the West not to take unilateral action against @placeholder, and repeated his claim that the regime was not responsible for the chemical weapons strike in the suburbs of Damascus two weeks ago.