TEL AVIV, April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday that Syria has retained chemical weapons in violation of an agreement to get rid of its entire stockpile.

"There can be no doubt in the international community's mind that Syria has retained chemical weapons in violation of its agreement and its statement that it had removed them all. There is no longer any doubt," Mattis told reporters during a visit to Tel Aviv.

Asked whether the Syrian military had moved its combat aircraft to a Russian base in Latakia, Mattis said: "They have dispersed their aircraft, no doubt. They have dispersed their aircraft in recent days." (Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Gareth Jones)