Kerry says Syria chemical weapons use "undeniable"

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday the chemical weapons use against civilians in Syria is inexcusable and "undeniable," and that President Barack Obama will be making an informed decision on how to respond.

The killing of innocent civilians by chemical weapons is a " moral obscenity," Kerry said in a forceful statement delivered in the State Department press briefing room.

"What is before us today is real, and it is compelling," he said, giving no timeline as to when Obama will make a decision in a response to the situation.

Accusing the Bashar al-Assad regime of destroying evidence, Kerry said "our sense of basic humanity is offended not only by this cowardly crime, but by the cynical attempt to cover it up."