American forces are “ready” to launch strikes on Syria if President Barack Obama chooses to order an attack, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel says. “We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfill and comply with whatever option the president wishes to take,” Mr Hagel said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu held phone calls with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the evening of Aug. 26, focusing on the chemical attack claims in Syria.

Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, has extended his stay in Pakistan for another day at the request of the Pakistan prime minister, Nawaz Sharif. The decision will enable the two leaders to discuss common issues further in the