New Delhi, April 14: As the US, the UK and France launched air strikes in Syria targeting chemical weapons facilities, India today urged all parties concerned to show restraint and avoid any further escalation in the war-torn country.

The External Affairs Ministry said India has taken note of the air strikes in Syria and was closely following the situation. "We have taken note of the recent strikes in Syria. India is closely following the situation. The alleged use of chemical weapons, if true, is deplorable," the MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

"We call for an impartial and objective investigation by the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) to establish the facts," he added.

The air strikes by the US, UK and France came in response to a suspected chemical attack on the town of Douma in Syria last week which killed dozens.

Kumar said, "In the meantime, we urge all Parties to show restraint and to avoid any further escalation in the situation. The matter should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations, and on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter and in accordance with international law."

He said India hoped that the long-drawn suffering of the people of Syria would come to an end soon.

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