Officials say US may take unilateral action against Syria

 

The United States may take unilateral action against Syria after Britain's House of Commons rejected a government attack plan, US officials said Thursday.

 

Consultations with Britain will continue, but "President Obama's decision-making will be guided by what is in the best interests of the United States," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.

 

"He believes that there are core interests at stake for the United States and that countries who violate international norms regarding chemical weapons need to be held accountable," Hayden said.

 

Earlier in the day, both White House and State Department spokespersons said the United States would act in its own timeline.

 

Washington has been seeking coordinated military strikes on Syria with its allies in response to the alleged chemical weapons attack on Aug. 21 in the suburbs of Damascus, in which 1,300 people were reportedly killed.

 

However, British Prime Minister David Cameron pledged Thursday not to circumvent parliament and authorize military action against Syria after the killing of his motion that calls for 'a strong humanitarian response from international society' that includes military operation.

 

The officials told lawmakers that they have 'no doubt' chemical weapons were used by the Syrian government forces, and that Obama is still weighing his options, the Politico said, quoting a congressional source.

 

During the briefing, the lawmakers pressed the officials on a range of issues, including how military operations in Syria would be funded. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel agreed it was an important question and pledged to provide additional information before or soon after any attack is launched.