House Intel chief: For US, 'time to act' in Syria

[March 20, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee says he fears a "stain on our national credibility" if the United States determines that Syria's Bashar Assad is using chemical weapons to remain in power but fails to intervene.

Michigan Republican Mike Rogers says there's a "high probability" a chemical agent was deployed Tuesday in northern Syria.

Rogers spoke a day after the Obama administration disputed the Assad regime's claim that rebels had used such weapons in Aleppo.

Rogers tells "CBS This Morning" the U.S. knows "there has been some forensic evidence that at least small quantities" of chemical weapons may have been used. Rogers also says the United States has "lost the faith" of the opposition forces, adding, "This is the time to act. Don't wait until we have 5,000 dead."

[Associated Press]

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