Israel tracking Syria chemical weapons situation

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday Israel is closely tracking developments relating to chemical weapons in Syria, whose regime has been warned against using them in the country's uprising.

"Along with the international community, we are closely following developments in Syria related to its chemical weapons stockpiles," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement from his office.

US President Barack Obama on Monday issued Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad a blunt warning not to use chemical weapons against his own people, following US warnings his forces were mixing deadly sarin gas.

"I heard President Obama's important remarks on the subject and we see things the same way," said Mr Netanyahu. "We believe these weapons must not be used and must not fall into the hands of terrorist elements."