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Theresa May's Cabinet have agreed unanimously that action is needed over the "shocking and barbaric" Syria chemical attack.

Mrs May spoke to Donald Trump tonight after ministers agreed it was "highly likely" President Assad's regime was behind the attack - and said the use of chemical weapons could not "go unchallenged".

But Downing Street made no mention of what that action will be, when it will happen, or whether MPs will get a vote.

"Cabinet agreed on the need to take action to alleviate humanitarian distress and to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime," a No10 statement said.

Protesters at Downing Street declared "no airstrikes" as ministers spent more than two hours in tonight's emergency meeting.

A source said no ministers disagreed with the way forward. Any minister disagreeing in public would have had to resign.

Despite the lack of any firm action, the world remained braced for war after the US blamed Syria and its Russian backers for Saturday's deadly chemical attack in the town of Douma.

Shock footage showed children foaming at the mouth and the World Health Organization said 43 people died of “symptoms consistent with exposure to highly toxic chemicals”.

Theresa May's War Cabinet on Syria: Full statement from Downing Street This afternoon Cabinet met and received an update on the attack against innocent civilians in Douma, Syria, on Saturday. The Prime Minister said it was a shocking and barbaric act which killed up to 75 people, including children, in the most appalling and inhumane way. Cabinet agreed that the Assad regime has a track record of the use of chemical weapons and it is highly likely that the regime is responsible for Saturday's attack. The Prime Minister said it was a further example of the erosion of international law in relation to the use of chemical weapons, which was deeply concerning to us all. Following a discussion in which every member present made a contribution, Cabinet agreed it was vital that the use of chemical weapons did not go unchallenged. Cabinet agreed on the need to take action to alleviate humanitarian distress and to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. Cabinet agreed the Prime Minister should continue to work with allies in the United States and France to coordinate an international response.

As evidence mounted, France said it had "proof" Syria's regime was behind the attack - while the US reportedly confirmed chlorine gas was found in the victims' blood and urine.

UK submarines armed with Tomahawk IV cruise missiles are reportedly moving to within their 1,000-mile striking distance of Syria.

Russian military police were reportedly being deployed to Douma today to "maintain law and order".

And photos today showed Britain's RAF Tornado jets being prepared at a Norfolk air base ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

But for all the talk of imminent conflict, the US and its allies have still not decided whether to strike.

(Image: GEOFF ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY) (Image: GEOFF ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY) (Image: GEOFF ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY)

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Today Donald Trump insisted an attack could be "very soon or not soon at all" - despite earlier warning Russia to "get ready" for missiles.

Tonight he and Theresa May agreed the use of chemical weapons could not "go unchallenged” and there was a need to “deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.”

But they too did not publicly agree any firm action.

A No10 spokeswoman added: "They agreed that the Assad regime had established a pattern of dangerous behaviour in relation to the use of chemical weapons.

“They agreed to keep working closely together on the international response.”

Meanwhile a furious row is raging in Britain over whether MPs should get a say on military action.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has demanded a top-secret briefing on what intelligence Britain has linking the attack to the Assad regime.

He joined the SNP and Lib Dems to demand MPs get a vote on military action in Parliament - which only returns from its Easter break on Monday.

"More bombing, more killing, more war will not save life, it will take lives and spawn the war elsewhere", he declared.

(Image: Barcroft Media) (Image: AFP) (Image: AFP) (Image: PA)

MPs have backed Syrian bombing raids in Parliament before, in December 2015 - but a previous bid was thwarted in 2013.

Cabinet minister David Davis and influential Tory Sarah Wollaston voted against strikes in 2013 but suggested they had now changed their minds.

Tom Tugendhat, Tory chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said a vote wasn't needed legally.

But veteran Tory MP Ken Clarke said it would be "pathetic" and a "very retrograde step" not to give MPs a vote on serious action.

Tory MP Zac Goldsmith added: "Parliament must be involved before any action is agreed."

French President Emmanuel Macron declared he has "proof" the Syrian government attacked Douma with chemical weapons.

But he will only decide whether to respond with air strikes "in due course, when we judge it most useful and effective".

And Germany and Italy said they would not take part in any strikes, despite voicing support for Western allies.

(Image: Anadolu) (Image: Getty)

Russia has requested a fresh meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday.

Theresa May has said "all the indications" are that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime was responsible for the chemical attack on his own people.

But Jeremy Corbyn said: "Parliament must be consulted on this.

"Surely the lessons of Iraq, the lessons that came there from the Chilcott report, have got to be - there has to be - a proper process of consultation.

"We elect Parliament, we elect Members of Parliament, they should have a voice on this.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Reuters)

"The Cabinet alone should not be making this decision. The dangers of bombing now, which could escalate the conflict beyond belief."

Oscar-winning Brit actor Sir Mark Rylance joined a group of 40 prominent figures who signed an open letter warning that military intervention will only further suffering in Syria.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said investigators would begin work to analyse the attack in Syria this Saturday.

Syrian state TV tonight declared it would hold the West responsible for any obstruction of the OPCW's probe.

(Image: AFP)

And Russia - which has blocked calls for an inquiry at the United Nations - claimed threats by the US were a violation of the UN Charter.

The Kremlin's Foreign Ministry declared the claims "dishonest accusations" and said it had found no evidence of a chemical weapons attack in Douma.

As tensions rose Israel's military apologised after sending its warplanes on a rehearsal flight for Independence Day - which prompted emergency calls to police.

Separately, the international chemical weapons watchdog today confirmed the deadly nerve agent used in the Salisbury attack was from the Novichok family of toxins.

The OPCW highlighted its "high purity" and identified its "sub-set", but kept this secret to avoid the risk of proliferation.

The conclusion strengthened the Government's case over how Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia were poisoned in Salisbury last month.

Britain's military laboratory at Porton Down had previously identified the agent as Novichok.

Boris Johnson said the ruling backing the UK government meant there was "no alternative explanation about who was responsible - only Russia has the means, motive and record".