German govt insists Syria strikes were legal despite parliament experts’ opinion

The German government has said that it stands by its view that the US-led airstrikes against Syria were legal, despite experts saying they breached international law, AP reported. Parliamentary researchers in Berlin last week provided an 11-page opinion to lawmakers that questioned whether the suspected chemical attack by Syrian government forces justified the attack by the United States, Britain and France. Germany didn’t participate in the April 14 strikes. A spokeswoman for Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday the German government “took note” of the parliamentary assessment but remains convinced the allied attack was “necessary and appropriate.” Ulrike Demmer said the airstrikes were intended “to prevent further uses of chemical weapons by Syrian forces.” Merkel will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington Friday.