Egypt's highest Islamic institution Al-Azhar released a statement on Sunday expressing its disapproval of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, while condemning US plans to attack the Arab state.

The statement said Al-Azhar rejected the use of chemical weapons “regardless of who was behind the attack”, asserting the people’s right to choose their rulers.

The statement strongly objected to the US decision to conduct a military strike on Syria and considered it both an assault on, and threat to, the Arab and Islamic nation. The attack, Al-Azhar's statement said, would jeopardise international peace and security.

Concern is growing in Cairo over possible international military action against Syria as calls for a military response increase following an alleged chemical attack by government forces against the opposition.

US President Barack Obama said on Saturday he will first ask the US Congress to approve military action against Syria, relieving the threat of immediate strikes on President Bashar Al-Assad's regime, since Congressional leaders are yet to debate the issue on 9 September, upon return from summer recess.