Kuwait suspends flights to Beirut over possible Syria strikes

Kuwait Airways has suspended flights to and from Beirut amid concerns over the safety of Lebanon's airspace should the US launch missile strikes at Syria.

The Kuwaiti flag carrier will not serve the Lebanese capital from Thursday, the Kuwait News Agency reported. 

"The move is based on security alerts regarding the safety of air traffic over sisterly Lebanon and near the Lebanese airspace," a statement said, adding the airline received "serious warnings" on the matter from Cypriot authorities. 

Lebanon on Wednesday rerouted flights so that they avoided Syrian airspace. 

Europe's air traffic control body also warned against travel over or near Syria, saying pilots should exercise caution over the next 72 hours.

The moves come as the US, along with France and the UK, consider military action against the forces of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of ordering a chemical attack which left as many as 60 dead.

The White House on Wednesday said President Donald Trump holds Syria and its key ally Russia "responsible" for the massacre. He earlier warned Moscow to "get ready" for a missile attack.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has reportedly ordered British submarines to position themselves within missile range of Syria, while French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at targeting the country's chemical facilities.

At the same time, Syrian troops have reportedly vacated military air bases near Damascus for fear of being targeted by Western strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.