US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Sunday the US military was ready to take action against Syria if ordered

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Sunday the US military was ready to take action against Syria if ordered, but stressed that Washington was still evaluating claims of a chemical weapons attack.
   
"President Obama has asked the Defense Department to prepare options for all contingencies. We have done that," Hagel told reporters in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. "Again, we are prepared to exercise whatever option, if he decides to employ one of those options."
   
He said the US and its allies were assessing intelligence on allegations that President Bashar al-Assad's forces unleashed chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus last week. "I wouldn't go further than that, until we have more intelligence based on facts," Hagel said.
   
Hagel spoke after a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Hishammuddin Hussein, as he started a week-long Southeast Asia tour to stress Washington's much-touted renewed focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

Hagel phoned Egypt's army chief from Kuala Lumpur, and has been in touch with top US national security advisors on Syria.
   
Hagel reiterated the US military had presented a range of military options to President Barack Obama over the alleged chemical attack. On his flight to Malaysia from Hawaii, he told reporters the American military was moving forces into place as needed, amid speculation Washington might opt for cruise missile strikes on Syria.