REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON - The US Senate majority leader has formally introduced the resolution giving President Barack Obama the authority to use military force against Syria.
Harry Reid filed the measure Friday, September 6, 2013, during a brief Senate session. Lawmakers return from a five-week recess on Monday and will begin to debate the proposal for military strikes.
A vote to move ahead on the resolution is expected on Wednesday. The Senate is deeply divided over whether to approve strikes in response to chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Republicans and Democrats have expressed opposition to the measure, which the chamber's Foreign Relations Committee narrowly approved 10-7 this week. Obama will address the country Tuesday on Syria.
France to wait UN report
French President Francois Hollande said Friday he will wait for the UN inspectors' report on their investigation of a chemical weapons attack in Syria before deciding whether to intervene militarily. It was the first time Hollande said he would wait for the UN report.
That means even further delay in potential international armed action against Syrian President Bashar Assad's military. France and the United States are preparing possible strikes, saying they have convincing evidence that Assad's regime launched the Aug. 21 attack.
France, which firmly backs the Syrian opposition group and has strategic and historic interest in the region, had been ready to act last week but held off when President Obama declared he would consult Congress first.
Hollande told reporters at a Group of 20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Friday: "Yes, we will wait for the inspectors' report, as we will wait for the Congress vote."
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