Baath party in 'permanent session' over strike fears: SANA

The leadership of Syria's ruling Baath party will go into "permanent session" starting today, Syria state news agency SANA said, as Washington weighs military action against Damascus.
"The national leadership of the Arab Socialist Baath party discussed with other Syrian parties the latest developments in light of threats to launch an attack against Syria," SANA reported.
The Baath party leadership decided to "go into permanent session starting from today and going forward indefinitely."
The decision appeared to be largely symbolic, and comes as US President Barack Obama asks Congress to authorise military strikes on Syria.
Obama wants to launch the strikes in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21.

Washington and much of the international community accuses Syria's government of responsibility for the attack, which reportedly killed hundreds of people.
President Bashar al-Assad's government denies responsibility and has warned of regional repercussions if military strikes against Syria go ahead.