DAMASCUS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday slammed the U.S. threats of striking Syria as "reckless escalation" that threatened international peace and security, according to the state news agency SANA.

The criticism came amid U.S. threats of striking Syria over recent allegations by rebels that the Syrian army used chlorine gas in an attack on Douma district in Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus.

The ministry also said that the U.S. was aiming to protect what the Syrian government regarded as terrorist groups in Eastern Ghouta, including Douma.

It pointed out that the use of chemical weapons had become a lame and unsubstantiated excuse, adding that Syrian government has welcomed the arrival of an unbiased and impartial investigation team.