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Obama to seek Congress vote on Syria military action | Obama to seek Congress vote on Syria military action |
(35 minutes later) | |
President Barack Obama says the US should take military action against Syria and he will seek congressional authorisation for intervention. | President Barack Obama says the US should take military action against Syria and he will seek congressional authorisation for intervention. |
The US says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks on 21 August in which 1,429 people died. | The US says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks on 21 August in which 1,429 people died. |
Mr Obama said the operation would be limited in duration and strong to deter future chemical attacks. Congress is due to reconvene on 9 September. | |
The Syrian government denies it was behind the attacks and blames rebels. | The Syrian government denies it was behind the attacks and blames rebels. |
UN inspectors have now left Syria with samples from site visits, which will go to laboratories in Europe for testing. | UN inspectors have now left Syria with samples from site visits, which will go to laboratories in Europe for testing. |
'No blind eye' | 'No blind eye' |
President Obama said the military operation could happen tomorrow, next week or in the near future. | President Obama said the military operation could happen tomorrow, next week or in the near future. |
"We cannot and will not turn a blind eye to what happened in Damascus," he said. | "We cannot and will not turn a blind eye to what happened in Damascus," he said. |
As commander-in-chief, Mr Obama has the constitutional authority to order military action without the backing of Congress. | As commander-in-chief, Mr Obama has the constitutional authority to order military action without the backing of Congress. |
However, he said it was important to have the debate. | However, he said it was important to have the debate. |
The House of Representatives will debate possible actions against Syria in the week after 9 September, Speaker John Boehner said. | The House of Representatives will debate possible actions against Syria in the week after 9 September, Speaker John Boehner said. |
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell welcomed the announcement, saying president's role as commander-in-chief was "always strengthened when he enjoys the expressed support of the Congress". | |
The BBC's Katy Watson in Washington says that if Mr Obama is to intervene, he wants the people - and politicians - on his side. | |
But what is unclear is what action he would take if Congress votes against involvement, our correspondent says. | |
Last week, British MPs defeated a government motion to take part in any military action in Syria. | Last week, British MPs defeated a government motion to take part in any military action in Syria. |
On Saturday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I understand and support Barack Obama's position on #Syria" | |
Russian President Vladimir Putin has challenged the US to present to the UN evidence that Syria attacked rebels with chemical weapons. | Russian President Vladimir Putin has challenged the US to present to the UN evidence that Syria attacked rebels with chemical weapons. |
Mr Putin said it would be "utter nonsense" for Syria's government to provoke opponents with such attacks. | Mr Putin said it would be "utter nonsense" for Syria's government to provoke opponents with such attacks. |
Russia - a key ally of Syria - has previously warned that "any unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council" would be a "direct violation of international law". | Russia - a key ally of Syria - has previously warned that "any unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council" would be a "direct violation of international law". |
Moscow, along with China, has vetoed two previous draft resolutions on Syria. | Moscow, along with China, has vetoed two previous draft resolutions on Syria. |
The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Damascus says people are worried and are making preparations. | The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Damascus says people are worried and are making preparations. |
They do not know what Mr Obama meant by a limited attack and what consequences it will have, he adds. | They do not know what Mr Obama meant by a limited attack and what consequences it will have, he adds. |
The main findings of the unclassified US evidence state that: | The main findings of the unclassified US evidence state that: |
Meanwhile in France - seen as the main US ally since the UK vote - an opinion poll suggested that 64% opposed the use of force. | Meanwhile in France - seen as the main US ally since the UK vote - an opinion poll suggested that 64% opposed the use of force. |
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his country will defend itself against any Western "aggression". | Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his country will defend itself against any Western "aggression". |
Forces which could be used against Syria: | Forces which could be used against Syria: |
• Four US destroyers - USS Gravely, USS Ramage, USS Barry and USS Mahan - are in the eastern Mediterranean, equipped with cruise missiles. The missiles can also be fired from submarines, but the US Navy does not reveal their locations | • Four US destroyers - USS Gravely, USS Ramage, USS Barry and USS Mahan - are in the eastern Mediterranean, equipped with cruise missiles. The missiles can also be fired from submarines, but the US Navy does not reveal their locations |
• Airbases at Incirlik and Izmir in Turkey, and in Jordan, could be used to carry out strikes | • Airbases at Incirlik and Izmir in Turkey, and in Jordan, could be used to carry out strikes |
• Two aircraft carriers - USS Nimitz and USS Harry S Truman are in the wider region | • Two aircraft carriers - USS Nimitz and USS Harry S Truman are in the wider region |
• French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently in Toulon in the western Mediterranean | • French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently in Toulon in the western Mediterranean |
• French Rafale and Mirage aircraft can also operate from Al-Dhahra airbase in the UAE | • French Rafale and Mirage aircraft can also operate from Al-Dhahra airbase in the UAE |