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Syria crisis: David Cameron supports Obama's stance Syria crisis: David Cameron supports Obama's stance
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has signalled his support for Barack Obama over Syria after the US president said he would ask Congress to vote on military strike action.David Cameron has signalled his support for Barack Obama over Syria after the US president said he would ask Congress to vote on military strike action.
In a tweet, the prime minister said: "I understand and support Barack Obama's position on #Syria."In a tweet, the prime minister said: "I understand and support Barack Obama's position on #Syria."
Foreign Secretary William Hague called it a "fine speech" after President Obama outlined his position calling for action against the Syrian regime. Foreign Secretary William Hague called it a "fine speech" after President Obama outlined his position for action on the war-torn country.
A former Lib Dem leader said Parliament could now "reconsider its position".A former Lib Dem leader said Parliament could now "reconsider its position".
Ministers ruled out UK involvement in any military action on Thursday evening, after MPs blocked a government motion which called for action, in principle, if it was backed up by evidence from UN weapons inspectors. Ministers ruled out UK involvement in any military action on Thursday evening, after MPs blocked a government motion which called for action if it was backed up by evidence from UN weapons inspectors.
The US says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks on 21 August in which 1,429 people died - something its President Bashar al-Assad denies, blaming opposition forces. The US says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks on 21 August in which 1,429 people died - something its leader, President Bashar al-Assad, denies.
The inspectors, who have been investigating the attacks, arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday with samples from site visits, which will be tested in laboratories in Europe. UN inspectors, who have been investigating the attacks, arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday with samples from site visits, which will be tested in laboratories in Europe.
'Off agenda''Off agenda'
Speaking after the US president set out his position, former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown said: "This was a brave and principled act from a brave and principled president."Speaking after the US president set out his position, former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown said: "This was a brave and principled act from a brave and principled president."
He added: "It opens up all sorts of different new possibilities. One of which is the UK Parliament certainly could reconsider its position. It puts huge pressure on Mr Miliband. He added: "It opens up all sorts of different new possibilities. One of which is the UK Parliament certainly could reconsider its position. It puts huge pressure on [Ed] Miliband."
"What now if having followed further discussions with [Russian President] Putin and Congress giving its view, what now will Mr Miliband say if there is a UN process? Mr Miliband has not commented on the president's speech, but the Labour leader has said he does not believe that the House of Commons vote means the UK can not make a difference to "innocent civilians" in Syria.
"If Congress says yes, does Mr Miliband continue to say no?" Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Tony Blair told a newspaper that the vote - although "shocking" - was "understandable" in view of people's memory of intervention in the Iraq war of 2003.
Mr Miliband has not commented on the president's speech but the Labour leader has said that he does not believe that the House of Commons vote means that the UK could not make a difference to "innocent civilians" in Syria. "It is right that the experience of Iraq gives people pause for thought," he said in an interview with the Sunday Times.
The BBC's political correspondent Ross Hawkins said a Labour source told him: "We set out clear criteria for British military action. Going to Congress is a matter for President Obama." But he warned the conflict in Syria was "crucial to our security" and Britain would have to take sides sooner or later.
Asked whether the issue could return to the Commons, the source said: "That is not a matter for us. It is the PM who took it off the agenda." "Intervention can be uncertain, expensive and bloody. But history has taught us that inaction can merely postpone the reckoning," he said.
'Closest ally''Closest ally'
Speaking outside the White House, President Obama said he was "confident" that the US government had made a case for military action without the need to wait for United Nations inspectors to compile their report. Speaking outside the White House on Saturday, President Obama said he was "confident" that the US government had made a case for military action without the need to wait for United Nations inspectors to compile their report.
He added he was comfortable going forward without the support of the UN Security Council "that, so far, has been completely paralysed and unwilling to hold [Syrian President] Assad accountable".He added he was comfortable going forward without the support of the UN Security Council "that, so far, has been completely paralysed and unwilling to hold [Syrian President] Assad accountable".
"As a consequence, many people have advised against taking this decision to Congress and undoubtedly they were impacted by what we saw happen in the United Kingdom this week when the Parliament of our closest ally failed to pass a resolution with a similar goal, even as the prime minister supported taking action."As a consequence, many people have advised against taking this decision to Congress and undoubtedly they were impacted by what we saw happen in the United Kingdom this week when the Parliament of our closest ally failed to pass a resolution with a similar goal, even as the prime minister supported taking action.
"Yet, while I believe I have the authority to carry out this action without specific congressional authorisation I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course and our actions will be even more effective.""Yet, while I believe I have the authority to carry out this action without specific congressional authorisation I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course and our actions will be even more effective."
Although the president acknowledged that US military chiefs stood ready to act, his pledge to wait for a vote effectively rules out intervention until Congress returns to session on 9 September.Although the president acknowledged that US military chiefs stood ready to act, his pledge to wait for a vote effectively rules out intervention until Congress returns to session on 9 September.
The White House has now sent draft legislation to Congress formally asking for approval to use military force in Syria to "deter, disrupt, prevent and degrade" the potential for further chemical attacks.The White House has now sent draft legislation to Congress formally asking for approval to use military force in Syria to "deter, disrupt, prevent and degrade" the potential for further chemical attacks.
President Assad blames opposition forces for the attack and has said his country will defend itself against any Western "aggression".
More than 100,000 people are estimated to have died and at least 1.7 million refugees displaced since civil conflict erupted in Syria in March 2011.More than 100,000 people are estimated to have died and at least 1.7 million refugees displaced since civil conflict erupted in Syria in March 2011.
The violence began when Syrian security forces clamped down on anti-government protests.The violence began when Syrian security forces clamped down on anti-government protests.
President 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