US attack on Syria: UNSC opens meeting at Russia's request to discuss military strikes carried out in Syria

UN Security Council opened meeting at Russia's request to discuss military strikes carried out by the US, France and Britain in Syria

US President Donald Trump, while addressing the nation, announced that the US, France and Britain have launched military strikes in Syria to punish President Bashar Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians and to deter him from doing it again.

"The United States has "launched precision strikes" on targets associated with Syrian chemical weapons program", the US president said.

Meanwhile, as Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons, the country's capital was rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke.

HIGHLIGHTS:

9:17 pm: US 'locked and loaded' to strike Syria again in response to any new chemical attack, says US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley

9:04 pm: Russia demands UN Security Council vote on condemning Syria air strikes

8:57 pm: UN Security Council opens meeting at Russia's request to discuss military strikes carried out by the US, France and Britain in Syria

6:00 pm: The UN Security Council will meet today at Russia's request to discuss air strikes launched by the United States, France and Britain on Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack. The open meeting is scheduled for 11:00 am (1500 GMT)

1:40 pm: President Vladimir Putin says Russia will call an emergency session of UN Security Council over strike on Syria, reports AP.

10:52 am: French foreign minister says joint military operation in Syria is legitimate, limited and proportionate.

10:50 am: French defense minister says Russia was warned ahead of joint US, UK, French military attacks on Syria.

08:02 am: A highly placed Russian politician is likening President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler after the launch of airstrikes against Syria, and says he regards the action as a move against Russia.

07:47 am: The British defense ministry says "initial indications" show that the airstrikes against Syria produced a "successful attack" on a Syrian military facility.

07:42 am: Defence Secretary Jim Mattis says he is "absolutely confident" that Syrian President Bashar Assad is behind the alleged chemical attack.

07:30 am: French President Emmanuel Macron says his nation, the United States and Britain have launched a military operation against the Syrian government's "clandestine chemical arsenal."

07:17 am: Macron says in a statement Saturday that France's "red line has been crossed" after a suspected chemical attack last week in the Syrian town of Douma.

US PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSED NATION ON SYRIA:

06:55 am: Syria's capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as US President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons.

06:52 am: The United States has "launched precision strikes" on targets associated with Syrian chemical weapons program.

06:47 am: Strikes are 'direct result' of Russia's failure to keep Syria's Assad from using chemical weapons.

06:45 am: US, allies prepared for "sustained" response until Syrian government stops use of chemical weapons.

06:40 am: US strikes on Syria, launched in concert with British, French allies, are "now underway."

06:35 am: US has "launched precision strikes" on targets associated with Syrian chemical weapons program.