After a day of frenzied preparations in the United States and across the Middle East, Mr Obama announced that as America’s Commander-in-Chief he had the authority to order military action against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. He said he was “prepared to give that order”.
But, he added, he judged that “the country will be stronger” if legislators were consulted first.
“After careful deliberation I have decided the United States should take military action against Syrian targets,” Mr Obama said. “I’m confident we can hold the Assad regime accountable for their use of chemical weapons.
“I’m ready to act in the face of this outrage. Today I’m asking Congress to send a message to the world, that we are ready to move forward together as a nation.”
The announcement represents a major gamble for the US President, two days after David Cameron lost a vote in the Commons when MPs refused to support British military action.
Mr Obama’s intention to seek a vote means a likely delay of up to 10 days until Congress returns, unless a decision is taken to recall it sooner.
Congressional leaders said they would consider the matter in the week of Sept 9.
Mr Obama said he was prepared to act “without the approval of a United Nations Security Council that so far has been paralysed”, but added: “This decision is too big to go ahead without debate.” » | Peter Foster in Washington, Robert Watts and Ben Farmer | Saturday, August 31, 2013
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama on Syria: text in full: President Barack Obama outlined his plan to launch military intervention in Syria on Saturday, but said he would seek approval from Congress first. Here is the full transcript of his speech. » | Saturday, August 31, 2013
