WASHINGTON: President Obama says he will seek congressional authorization for intervention in Syria.
In his address to the nation‚ President Obama said the operation would be limited in duration and strong to deter future chemical attacks.
The White House has sent Congress a draft of a resolution authorizing President Obama to use military force against Syria. Congress is due to meet on the ninth of this month.
The United States says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks outside Damascus on 21 of the last month. However‚ the Syrian government denies it was behind the attacks and blames rebels.
Meanwhile‚ UN inspectors‚ investigating the attacks has arrived in the Netherlands with samples from the site. The samples will be tested in laboratories in Europe and the testing process could take three weeks.
The United Nations has strongly rejected the impression that the world body is stepping aside to allow US air strikes on Syria.
Talking to newsmen in New York‚ UN spokesman Martin Nesirky rejected the reports suggesting that the departure of the UN chemical weapons team from Syria opens a window for military action.
He said the UN mission is capable of establishing in an impartial and credible manner the facts of any use of chemical weapons based directly on evidence collected on the ground.
He said the United Nations would continue humanitarian work in Syria.
The Syrian government like Russia‚ blames the rebels for last week’s alleged chemical weapons attack.
The French Parliament meets in Paris on Wednesday to discuss possible military action against Syria.
The Foreign Ministers of Arab League are to meet in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Arab League deputy chief Ahmed Ben Helli said the meeting had been scheduled for Tuesday but was advanced in light of rapid developments in the Syria situation.
Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi has declared that army is ready for any foreign strikes against his country.
There are reports of protests around the world against a possible US-led attack on Syria.
Anti-war protests were held outside the White House in Washington‚ Houston‚ Boston‚ Chicago and Arkansas.
In London‚ protesters carrying Syrian flags and placards marched to Downing Street and rallied in Trafalgar Square. Anti-war demonstration was also reported in Frankfurt‚ Germany.
Anti-war protesters also gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Amman. They chanted slogans and set on fire the American and Israeli flags.
