Syria Advice: Action 'Legally Justifiable'

British military action against Syria would still be legal without UN support, according to advice from the Government's lawyers.

The legal basis for intervention argues "exceptional measures" would be justified on humanitarian grounds and permitted under international law.

It endorses a targeted strike against the Assad regime even if Russia and China block agreement at the United Nations.

Downing Street released its legal advice and evidence from the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) shortly before a Commons debate about the crisis.

The legal advice categorically stated the Syrian regime was behind the chemical weapons attack in Damascus last week.

Calling it a "war crime and a crime against humanity", it says: "The legal basis for military action would be humanitarian intervention.

"The aim is to relieve humanitarian suffering by deterring or disrupting the further use of chemical weapons."

The lawyers argue conditions needed for action to go ahead without the UN Security Council's agreement have already been fulfilled.

UN weapons inspectors in Syria

A separate intelligence report concludes there was a chemical attack and that it was "highly likely" Bashar Assad's regime was responsible.

JIC chairman Jon Day said: "It is being claimed, including by the regime, that the attacks were either faked or undertaken by the Syrian Armed Opposition.

"We have tested this assertion using a wide range of intelligence and open sources, and invited HMG and outside experts to help us establish whether such a thing is possible.

"There is no credible intelligence or other evidence to substantiate the claims or the possession of CW (chemical weapons) by the opposition.

"The JIC has therefore concluded that there are no plausible alternative scenarios to regime responsibility."

Number 10 said the publication of the documents reflected David Cameron's desire to "build a consensual approach".

Syrian President Bashar Assad, pictured on Thursday

The Prime Minister has already been forced to drop plans for early intervention after Labour made clear its opposition.

MPs will now debate and vote only on the principle of military action in response to a "crime against humanity" by the Assad regime.

The motion makes clear that "before any direct British involvement in such action, a further vote of the House of Commons will take place".

Labour could still oppose the Government after threatening to press ahead with its own amendment, which it argues sets out a clearer path.

Downing Street is furious at being backed into a corner and sources accused Ed Miliband of "playing politics" and trying to divide the country.

But the Labour leader said: "I'm determined to learn the lessons of the past, including Iraq, and we can't have the House of Commons being asked to write a blank cheque to the PM for military action."

Ahead of the emergency session, all three main party leaders met with their backbenchers in a last-ditch bid to build support.

The letter from Syria to MPs suggested international strikes could help terrorists and lead to the deaths of many British soldiers.

It said: "Before you rush over the cliffs of war, would it not be wise to pause? Remember the thousands of British soldiers killed and maimed in Afghanistan and Iraq ..."

The letter urged: "We ask you not to bomb us but to work with us ..." and invited Parliament to send its own delegation to Syria to check the conclusions of UN inspectors.

An international strike would be "an aggressive and unprovoked act of war", it declared, adding: "By attacking and weakening Syrian targets and institutions you would automatically strengthen our common enemy, Al Qaida and its affiliates."

It also condemned the chemical attack "without reservation", continuing its repeated denial that it was not responsible for the massacre.

UN weapons inspectors are due to finish their work on Friday and will report directly to secretary general Ban Ki-moon within 24 hours.

But their conclusions will not apportion blame and only set out the evidence to show whether a chemical attack happened or not.

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