Russia’s United Nations envoy has accused the US of violating international law by carrying out military strikes in Syria. Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told the UN Security Council that Washington attacked the territory of sovereign Syria, describing the attack a flagrant violation of international law and an act of aggression.

The Council held an emergency session yesterday after the US launched a barrage of missile strikes on a Syrian air base in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack.

The council meeting was called by Bolivia, which also branded the US strikes a violation of international law.

However, France and Britain said the US response was appropriate and laid the blame on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.