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It was the second such strike in three days, and prompted an immediate uproar from the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and concerns the fighting in Syria could expand into a wider regional conflict.

The Conservative government has been pushing European countries in the past few months to follow Canada’s lead and list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, citing attacks it was responsible for in Lebanon, Israel and Europe, and its ties to Iran and the Assad government.

Baird reaffirmed the government’s opposition to Hezbollah Sunday when asked his reaction to the Israeli airstrikes.

“I can’t confirm what’s happened, but obviously it’s in all of our interests that Hezbollah doesn’t get control of heavy weapons,” he said. “They’re an international terrorist organization who have targeted women and children in civilian populations and have threatened en masse to come and support Assad and his war against the Syrian people.”

The international community is also contemplating how to respond — including whether to launch military action — following American and Israeli reports that chemical weapons have been used in Syria.

Baird admitted he didn’t know whether it was the Syrian government or rebel forces that used the chemical weapons and said Canada is “talking with our allies” about what to do next.

“Before there’s any action taken, obviously we’ll be working in close concert with our allies,” he said. “Obviously the use of chemical weapons, the use of weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations causes deep concern. … We don’t want them, obviously, to be used against the Syrian people, their neighbours or to fall into the hands of a terrorist (group).”