Presbyterian churches in Syria have added their voices to the chorus of criticism from Christians in the country at the British, French and American air strikes on the regime's chemical weapons facilities.

Targets were hit at the weekend by warplanes from the US, UK and France. A statement signed by John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriach of Antioch and all the East, Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriach of Antioch and all the East, and Joseph Absi, Melike-Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem said they 'condemn and denounce the brutal aggression' and denied the Syrian army either owned or had used chemical weapons.

Now a similar statement has been issued by the National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon.

It says the strike was the result of 'the fabrication of charges, without legal justification' and was 'in contradiction to the desire of the Syrian people'.

The statement says: 'The unjust aggression came, asserting that imperial mindset and tyranny of might, still inhabit and move superpowers, without any recognition of the rights of other nations.'

It continues with an appeal to Western churches to 'exert maximum pressure on their governments and diplomacy not to repeat those adventures that undermine the chances of stability awaiting our country'.

It concludes: 'As we declare this, we ask God Almighty to give our leadership, government and National Army all wisdom and steadfastness in the face of evil forces. We lift our prayers for a strong Syria that upholds the values of peace, human dignity and peaceful co-existence among all its components.'

The statement is signed by Rev Joseph Kassad, general secretary of the National Evangelical Synod.