Barack Obama concedes for Congress vote on Syria strikes

Zee Media Bureau/Tarun Khanna Washington: Amidst the anticipations on the US`s planned strikes in Syria, the US President Barack Obama on Saturday said that Congress will debate and vote in the matter. The president in his speech from White House Rose Garden said that he has discussed the proposed strikes with Congressional leaders and will seek their authorisation. The US had claimed Assad regime`s role in the August 21, 2013 chemical attacks. Yesterday, Britain`s President David Cameron had backed out from supporting US government on the proposed strikes on Syria. However, France has since beginning extended its support to the US.

Obama also said that the military strikes could begin Sunday, next week or very shortly. However, the US President made no comments on whether the strikes will be carried in case the Congress rejects the action.

The UN experts on Saturday reached Netherlands with the samples of the chemical attacks which were carried near Damascus suburb. The samples would be sent for tests in various laboratories in Europe.

The US government had been positioning its Navy closer to Syria border. The Syrian government on the other hand claims to be prepared for any invasion.

Several Syria residents have escaped to Lebanon fearing the US strikes.