Trump warns missiles 'will be coming' after threats from Russia to shoot them down

Russia accuses US of planning to destroy evidence of chemical attack

Syria and allies 'emptying' military bases as they prepare for missiles

Civilian airliners warned to be cautious above the eastern Mediterranean

Opinion: It's make or break time for Britain: We must show America that we're still its closest ally

Donald Trump has told Russia and Syria to "get ready" for a missile attack on the Assad regime, saying the bombs will be "nice and new and smart".

Mr Trump tweeted an extraordinary response to Russia's claim that it would shoot down any missiles fired at Syria following the chemical weapons attack on Douma.

The US President added: "You shouldn't be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!"

Mr Trump described the relationship between the US and Russia as "worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War" but insisted there was "no reason for this".

Earlier, Alexander Zasypkin, the Russian envoy to Beirut, said: “If there is an American strike, then we... will shoot down the missiles and target the positions from where they were launched.