Syria: Reports US navy is strengthening its presence in sea near Syria

The Pentagon is thought to be strengthening its navy presence in the Mediterranean Sea near the coast of Syria, according to media reports, as the countries civil-war crisis deepens. US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel appeared to verify this, telling reporters traveling with him to Malaysia: "The defense department has responsibility to provide the President with options for all contingencies", adding: "That requires positioning our forces, positioning our assets, to be able to carry out different options - whatever options the President might choose." Officials have stressed that the US navy has received no orders to prepare for military action, but confirmed that a fourth US Navy Warship had been moved into the eastern Mediterranean Sea, armed with cruise missiles. The news comes amid allegations that the Syrian government has used Chemical Weapons to attack civilians in the country, something President Barack Obama has previously described as a 'red line'. Countries around the World have condemned the alleged attack, and a UN chemical weapons team in the country under the control of President Assad's government has been trying to secure access to the site, which is just several miles from where the team is staying. The U.N Disarmament chief, Angela Kane, has arrived in Damascus to try and push for access to the site.