Saudi says strikes on Syria retaliation for regime 'crimes'

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday expressed its full support for US-led strikes on Syrian government military installations, saying they were a response to "regime crimes" against civilians.

"Saudi Arabia fully supports the strikes launched by the United States, France and Britain against Syria because they represent a response to the regime's crimes," a foreign ministry statement said.

The statement, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, said the strikes were prompted by the "Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians, including women and children".

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have been key backers of Syrian opposition groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad.

The United States, France and Britain said they launched the strikes Saturday in response to an alleged chemical attack on the former rebel town of Douma near Damascus a week ago.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said Paris has "proof" the Syrian regime used chemical weapons, a claim denied by the Damascus government.