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Britain has fully supported the US decision with Sir Michael Fallon saying it was a “limited, appropriate and narrowly focused action”. The UK Defence Secretary said this morning “there have been extensive consultations in Washington and London”. He told Good Morning Britain: “We are backing it. We fully support this strike. "It was used to deter President Assad from carrying out future attacks and we fully support that." Sir Michael Fallon told Sky News: “We’ve been in close contact with the US government over the last couple of days. “One the President made his decision the defence secretary called me again to give us advance notice of the strike and the PM has been kept informed throughout.“

Sky News Sir Michael Fallon said Theresa May was kept fully informed of the US' plans

This is the first time this has happened during the Trump administration and they decided they want to help deter it in the future Sir Michael Fallon

Mr Fallon said the Assad regime has committed previous gas attacks “flouting international law”. He said: “This is the first time this has happened during the Trump administration and they decided they want to help deter it in the future.” Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron came out strong on the strikes, calling for Britain to take action.

CNN Flag flies above USS Porter as missile launched at Al Shayrat Airbase

He said: "The attack by American forces was a proportionate response to the barbarous attack by the Syrian government on its own people. "The British government rather than just putting out a bland statement welcoming this should now follow it up and call an emergency meeting of the Nato alliance to see what else can be done, be that more surgical strikes or no fly zones. "Evil happens when good people do nothing, we cannot sit by while a dictator gasses his own people. We cannot stand by, we must act." Italy, along with Germany, France and Britain judge the US attack as "proportionate". Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said: “Tonight’s action by US President Trump is a reasoned response to a war crime. “The operation took place at the air base from which the attacks with chemical weapons started in recent days.” Others decided Trump’s move was rash and damaging, including Paul Nutgall, UKIP leader.

Celebrities and Politicians React to Trump's Missile Attack on Syria Fri, April 7, 2017 Following news of the attack, celebrities and politicians expressed their thoughts on social media Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 6 Trump ordered a massive military strike against a Syria

Italian MEP Matteo Salvini described it as a “gift to ISIS”. He said: "Is he looking for terrible consequences for Italy and Europe?" "USA missiles to Syria is a bad idea.” Salvini’s opinion is similar to that of leader of Front National, Marine Le Pen. She said: "Before bombing Syria, it was necessary to await the results of an international investigation. I'm surprised by this reaction."

AFP The Al Shayrat Airbase near Idlib in Syria

Trump has also gained support elsewhere in the world. Angelino Alfano, Foreign Minister of Italy said the country understands “the reasons for a USA military action in a proportional time and manner”. He said: “It is a response against impunity and a deterrence measure facing the risk of further use of chemical weapons. “Now we must re-activate the UN Security Council and international community's efforts for a political solution in Syria. “At the G7 for Foreign Ministers in Lucca, Monday and Tuesday, we will have an opportunity to confirm our common will towards peace and security.” Meanwhile China acted as a peacekeeper saying it was important to prevent a further deterioration in the situation. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China hoped "relevant parties stay calm, exercise restraint and avoid doing anything that might raise tensions."

Trump launches military strike against Syria Fri, April 7, 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump launched 59 Tomahawk missiles against Syria in response to its chemical attack on its own civilians Play slideshow Getty/Reuters 1 of 19 Trump ordered a massive military strike against a Syria

A British Government spokesperson said: “Overnight, the US has taken military action against the Syrian regime, targeting the airfield in Shayrut which was used to launch the chemical weapons attack earlier this week. “The UK Government fully supports the US action, which we believe was an appropriate response to the barbaric chemical weapons attack launched by the Syrian regime, and is intended to deter further attacks.” Nigel Farage, who has appeared to be close to Trump following the BRexit vote and his frequent trips to the US had a surprising take on it. He wrote: “Many Trump voters will be worried about this military intervention. “Where will it end?”The US launched 59 Tomahawk missiles on a Syrian airfield after Bashar al-Assad was accused of killing civilians with chemical weapons in a murderous gas attack. The air assault was launched from the USS Porter and USS Ross in the Mediterranean.

The U.S. bombing of Syria last night was rash, trigger happy, nonsensical and will achieve nothing. I hoped for better. — Paul Nuttall (@paulnuttallukip) April 7, 2017

In a statement, President Trump said: “Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the military airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. “It is in the vital national security interests of the United States to prevent the spread and use of chemical weapons. "There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and ignored the urging of the U.N. Security Council."

AFP BEFORE AND AFTER: Tomahawk missiles hit airbase in Syria where Russian copters were in February

The decision to take out the Al-Shayrat Air Base, the base from which the chemical attack on Syria’s Idlib province was reportedly launched is widely supported in Britain and around the world. In Russia however, the strike was met with fury. Putin's Government has said Trump has undermined strategic missions from Moscow.

GETTY The British Government has said the US response was 'appropriate'