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Obama clones Bush in drive for war: Russian MP

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A senior Russian lawmaker says the United States is moving closer to an “illegitimate” war in Syria, describing President Barack Obama as a “clone” of George W. Bush in his drive for war.

Alexei Pushkov, the head of the Russian lower house of parliament’s International Committee, made the remarks on Twitter on Sunday.

“Inescapably, Obama is moving towards war in Syria just like Bush was [moving] towards war in Iraq,” Pushkov said, adding, “Just like in Iraq, this war will not be legitimate and Obama will become a Bush clone.”

The remarks came after US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said earlier in the day that the US military was ready to take action against Syria if President Obama gave the green light.

“President Obama has asked the Defense Department to prepare options for all contingencies. We have done that and we are prepared to exercise whatever option — if he decides to employ one of those options,” Hagel said.

On August 21, the head of the so-called opposition Syrian National Coalition, George Sabra, claimed that 1,300 people were killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar.

The Syrian government, however, has vehemently rejected the allegations, saying the foreign-backed militants had carried out the attack.

On Saturday, the Syrian forces found chemical agents in tunnels dug by the militants in Jobar. A number of soldiers suffocated as they entered the area.

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