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Obama: US cannot ignore Syria chemical weapons Obama: US cannot ignore Syria chemical weapons
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has said the US cannot "turn a blind eye" to the use of chemical weapons in Syria.President Barack Obama has said the US cannot "turn a blind eye" to the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
He was speaking after returning to the US from a G20 summit in Russia, which failed to produce international agreement on military action in Syria.He was speaking after returning to the US from a G20 summit in Russia, which failed to produce international agreement on military action in Syria.
The US accuses President Bashar al-Assad's forces of killing 1,429 people in a poison gas attack on 21 August.The US accuses President Bashar al-Assad's forces of killing 1,429 people in a poison gas attack on 21 August.
EU foreign ministers say there should be no action before the UN reports back on chemical weapons attacks in Syria.EU foreign ministers say there should be no action before the UN reports back on chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
Mr Obama faces a tough week of trying to persuade Congress to authorise military action.Mr Obama faces a tough week of trying to persuade Congress to authorise military action.
He will also seek public support in a White House address on Tuesday.He will also seek public support in a White House address on Tuesday.
Mr Assad and his ally President Vladimir Putin of Russia blame rebels for the attack.Mr Assad and his ally President Vladimir Putin of Russia blame rebels for the attack.
In a radio and internet address, Mr Obama said he understood that the American people were "weary after a decade of war" and insisted this would not be an "open-ended intervention" akin to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.In a radio and internet address, Mr Obama said he understood that the American people were "weary after a decade of war" and insisted this would not be an "open-ended intervention" akin to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"But we are the United States of America. We cannot turn a blind eye to images like the ones we've seen out of Syria."But we are the United States of America. We cannot turn a blind eye to images like the ones we've seen out of Syria.
"Failing to respond to this outrageous attack would increase the risk that chemical weapons could be used again, that they would fall into the hands of terrorists who might use them against us, and it would send a horrible signal to other nations that there would be no consequences for their use of these weapons."Failing to respond to this outrageous attack would increase the risk that chemical weapons could be used again, that they would fall into the hands of terrorists who might use them against us, and it would send a horrible signal to other nations that there would be no consequences for their use of these weapons.
"All of which would pose a serious threat to our national security.""All of which would pose a serious threat to our national security."
Any action, President Obama said, would be "limited both in time and scope - designed to deter the Syrian government from gassing its own people again and degrade its ability to do so".Any action, President Obama said, would be "limited both in time and scope - designed to deter the Syrian government from gassing its own people again and degrade its ability to do so".
G20 deadlockG20 deadlock
Russia restated its opposition to any strike at the G20 summit in St Petersburg, with Mr Putin warning that military intervention would destabilise the region.Russia restated its opposition to any strike at the G20 summit in St Petersburg, with Mr Putin warning that military intervention would destabilise the region.
Both Russia and China, which have refused to agree to a UN Security Council resolution against Syria, insist any military action without the UN would be illegal.Both Russia and China, which have refused to agree to a UN Security Council resolution against Syria, insist any military action without the UN would be illegal.
President Obama has only a few days to convince Congress, which returns from its summer recess on Monday.President Obama has only a few days to convince Congress, which returns from its summer recess on Monday.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives could vote on the Syrian issue as early as next week.Both the Senate and House of Representatives could vote on the Syrian issue as early as next week.
Mr Obama has acknowledged that he faces a "heavy lift" to win congressional backing.Mr Obama has acknowledged that he faces a "heavy lift" to win congressional backing.
A poll commissioned by the BBC and ABC News suggested more than a third of Congress members were undecided whether or not to back military action - and a majority of those who had made a decision said they would vote against the president.A poll commissioned by the BBC and ABC News suggested more than a third of Congress members were undecided whether or not to back military action - and a majority of those who had made a decision said they would vote against the president.
Many remain concerned that military action could draw the US into a prolonged war and spark broader hostilities in the region.Many remain concerned that military action could draw the US into a prolonged war and spark broader hostilities in the region.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to push for international support for military action during a four-day trip to Europe.US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to push for international support for military action during a four-day trip to Europe.
He held talks with EU foreign ministers in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Saturday, and is due to travel on to Paris to meet Arab League representatives. He will then travel to London for further talks with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.He held talks with EU foreign ministers in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Saturday, and is due to travel on to Paris to meet Arab League representatives. He will then travel to London for further talks with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.
EU cautionEU caution
After meeting in Vilnius, the EU ministers issued a statement saying that the available intelligence "seems to indicate strong evidence that the Syrian regime is responsible for the attack".After meeting in Vilnius, the EU ministers issued a statement saying that the available intelligence "seems to indicate strong evidence that the Syrian regime is responsible for the attack".
While calling for a "clear and strong response", the ministers said that the crisis in Syria should be addressed "through the UN process" and said they hoped UN investigators could issue their preliminary report on the attack as soon as possible.While calling for a "clear and strong response", the ministers said that the crisis in Syria should be addressed "through the UN process" and said they hoped UN investigators could issue their preliminary report on the attack as soon as possible.
They said they welcomed French President Francois Hollande's call to wait for this report before taking any further action.They said they welcomed French President Francois Hollande's call to wait for this report before taking any further action.
Mr Kerry welcomed the EU's "strong statement about the need for accountability". Mr Kerry welcomed the EU's "strong statement about the need for accountability". A senior US state department official who attended Mr Kerry's meeting with the ministers said Mr Kerry had made clear the US had not made any decision to wait.
At the G20 summit, a joint statement from the US and 10 other nations called for a strong international response against President Assad.At the G20 summit, a joint statement from the US and 10 other nations called for a strong international response against President Assad.
But while the UK, Canada and Turkey supported Mr Obama's call for action, the only leaders at the G20 meeting to commit to force in Syria were the US and France, and Mr Hollande appears to have subsequently softened his line.But while the UK, Canada and Turkey supported Mr Obama's call for action, the only leaders at the G20 meeting to commit to force in Syria were the US and France, and Mr Hollande appears to have subsequently softened his line.
Mr Obama and Mr Putin held a one-to-one meeting on Syria at the G20 but failed to reach an agreement.Mr Obama and Mr Putin held a one-to-one meeting on Syria at the G20 but failed to reach an agreement.
Some 100,000 people have died in the two-and-a-half-year-old Syrian conflict, according to the UN.Some 100,000 people have died in the two-and-a-half-year-old Syrian conflict, according to the UN.