Donald Trump blames Barack Obama's 'weakness' for Syria chemical attack - despite tweeting against intervention

Trump urged Obama to 'stay out of Syria' and 'fix broken US' instead after previous chemical attack

Donald Trump called the Assad regime's chemical attack in Idlib a "consequence of the past administration's weakness", but his Twitter archive shows he previously advocated staying "out of Syria".

Dozens of people, including children, were killed on Tuesday in what was feared to be the worst chemical weapon attack in Syria in four years.

In his response President Trump criticised his predecessor, Barack Obama, for "weakness and irresolution" over whether to intervene militarily in Syria. He said: "President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a 'red line' against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing."

In September 2013, however, Mr Trump said in a series of tweets he wanted the US to focus on domestic issues instead of intervention in the war-torn country.

He said: "If the US attacks Syria and hits the wrong targets, killing civilians, there will be worldwide hell to pay. Stay away and fix broken US.

"What I am saying is stay out of Syria. The only reason President Obama wants to attack Syria is to save face over his very dumb RED LINE statement. Do NOT attack Syria,fix USA."

Hospitals treating victims of a suspected toxic gas were themselves targeted in a series of air strikes on Tuesday following the atrocity in a rebel-held town in Idlib province, where activists claimed up to 100 people died.

United Nations war crimes investigators have launched a probe into both rounds of bombing, saying the use of chemical weapons or deliberate targeting of medical facilities "would amount to war crimes and serious violations of human rights law".

At least 72 people, including 20 children, were reported dead after the initial attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun, which came during a Brussels conference on ending the Syrian conflict.

Theresa May said she was “appalled” by the attack and called for an investigation.

Doctors said victims started to choke, vomit and faint with foam coming out of their mouths, showing symptoms of possible sarin gas exposure.