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OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in the House of Commons Thursday there would be “serious consequences” if Syria uses chemical weapons against rebels in its country.

Baird was referring to intelligence reports out of the United States that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is planning on using chemical weapons against those fighting against his regime.

“These reports are disturbing and absolutely unacceptable,” Baird said.

“Our government has been very clear that the international community will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime on the Syrian people.”

Baird did not specifically say whether Canada is considering involvement in any military action against Syria.

“I think (U.S.) President (Barack) Obama spoke loudly and clearly for the civilized world when he said (Syria’s use of chemical weapons), if they follow through on them, would be absolutely unacceptable and there would be serious consequences to be paid,” he said, when asked by interim Liberal leader Bob Rae about Canada’s possible involvement in international action against Assad.

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NATO moved forward Thursday with its plan to place Patriot missiles and troops along Syria’s border with Turkey to protect against potential attacks.

Baird said he is urging China and Russia to lean on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad as reports emerge he could unleash chemical weapons on his own people.

The UN Security Council has been powerless to censure Syria because of the objections of veto-wielding Russia and China.

With files from The Canadian Press