THE most senior Syrian politician to defect to the opposition has warned that the regime will not hesitate to use chemical weapons if it is cornered.

Nawaf Fares, Syria's former ambassador to Iraq, said unconfirmed reports indicated that such weapons might have already been used.

He also said that bombings across Syria had been orchestrated by the regime in collaboration with al-Qaeda.

Syria is known to have a significant stockpile of chemical weapons and there have been growing concerns in neighbouring countries and among Western governments about the security of the weapons should the regime fall. - ©The Daily Telegraph

Cole fans a-Twitter over 'choc ice' jibe

POLICE in the UK have opened an investigation into alleged racist comments against Chelsea defender Ashley Cole on Twitter, four days after club teammate John Terry was cleared of racial abuse.

Cole, who defended Terry in court from charges made by Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand, was reportedly referred to as a "choc ice" by a Twitter user. The term is believed to mean brown on the outside, white on the inside.

Ferdinand's older brother, Rio, who plays for Manchester United, responded: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahaha!"

Some Twitter users expressed concern about what Ferdinand was implying about Cole. - Sapa-AP