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Syria crisis: David Cameron makes case for military action Syria crisis: David Cameron makes case for military action
(35 minutes later)
Britain could launch strikes against the Syrian regime without the backing of the United Nations, according to its own legal advice.Britain could launch strikes against the Syrian regime without the backing of the United Nations, according to its own legal advice.
The advice states the legal basis for any such action would be "humanitarian intervention", even if Russia and China try to block it. The advice states the legal basis for any such action would be "humanitarian intervention", even if UN permanent members Russia and China block it.
The UK intelligence committee also concludes it is "highly likely" the Syrian government was responsible for a chemical attack last week. UK intelligence chiefs have told the PM it is "highly likely" the Syrian government was responsible for a chemical attack last week.
MPs are due to debate the issue.MPs are due to debate the issue.
Deter future attacks
The Syrian government has denied it is responsible for a suspected chemical attack near Damascus on 21 August in which hundreds of people are reported to have died, blaming opposition forces.
But Prime Minister David Cameron believes there is "compelling" evidence from the intelligence services and also from publicly available material including YouTube videos of the atrocity.
Downing Street has also released a statement, based on the formal legal advice by the attorney general, Dominic Grieve, that limited military strikes to deter future chemical weapons attacks would be in line with international law.
US President Barack Obama has said he has not yet decided on a plan for retaliatory action against Syria.
Other nations are also considering the next move.
The British parliament is now due to vote on whether to back the principle of military intervention, but the leader of the opposition Labour Party, Ed Miliband, has said MPs should not have to decide on what he called an "artificial timetable".
The party has said it will vote against the government's motion.
MPs will have to take part in a further vote, next week, authorising strikes.
In other developments:
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said in the event of military action cruise missiles could be launched from US ships in the Gulf or the Mediterranean, or Royal Navy vessels including submarine HMS Tireless.