Scornful Syria hails ‘historic retreat’ by US

Syria hailed an “historic American retreat” yesterday, mockingly accusing President Barack Obama of hesitation and confusion after he delayed a military strike to consult Congress.

US secretary of state John Kerry said tests had shown sarin nerve gas was fired on rebel-held areas near Damascus, and expressed confidence that lawmakers would do “what is right” in responding to the attack.

Washington says more than 1,400 people, many of them children, were killed in the attack.