No military action till UN's Syria probe ends: Britain

Britain has suggested it may not take military action against Syria until the UN completes its investigations into the alleged use of chemical weapons.

A government motion, to be moved in the House of Commonns Thursday and agreed to by senior officials attending a meeting of the National Security Council, said: "Every effort should be made to secure a Security Council resolution backing military action before any such action is taken," Xinhua reported.

"The United Nations secretary general should ensure a briefing to the United Nations Security Council immediately upon the completion of the team's initial mission," it said.

The motion said "a United Nations process must be followed as far as possible to ensure the maximum legitimacy" for any response against Syria.

"Before any direct British involvement in such action, a further vote in the House of Commons will take place," it added.

The House of Commons will vote on the motion Thursday.