EU ministers slam 'monstrous' Syria chemical weapons threat

European Union foreign ministers branded as "monstrous" and "unacceptable" a threat by Syria on Monday that it would resort to the use of chemical weapons in case of a foreign attack. "Threatening to use chemical weapons is monstrous," said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in a statement. "It is unacceptable to say they would use chemical weapons under any circumstances," echoed British Foreign Secretary William Hague. In a statement issued after talks, the bloc's 27 foreign ministers said: "The EU is seriously concerned about the potential use of chemical weapons in Syria." Syria denied the regime would ever use chemical or unconventional weapons against civilians, but admitted it would resort to their use "in case of external aggression." "Any stocks of chemical weapons that may exist, will never, ever be used against the Syrian people," Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said. But he added that in the event of foreign attack, "the generals will be deciding when and how we use them." The comments came as Syrian troops were battling rebels in the main cities of Damascus and Aleppo in the escalating conflict that activists say has claimed 19,000 lives since March 2011. "The Syrian regime has once again revealed the contempt for human life in its thinking," added Westerwelle. "I urge all authorities in Syria to responsibly contribute to securing any chemical weapons stockpiles." "What is actually happening is their own people are rising up against a brutal police state," said Hague. "It has nothing to do with any agression from anywhere else in the world ... The sooner it comes to an end, the better." EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who chaired the ministers' talks, said the existence of chemical weapons in any area of conflict was "cause of concern." But asked to comment at a news conference, she added: "As far as I am aware, there is no reason to have immediate concern." "But information is difficult to obtain," she said. France was keeping a close eye on such weapons, however, said Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. "These installations are the object of very particular surveillance," he said.