France’s Hollande says strike on Syria possible by Sept 4

PanARMENIAN.Net - French President Francois Hollande said that a military strike on Syria could come by Wednesday, September 4 and that Britain's surprise rejection of armed intervention would not affect his government's stand, foreign media reported.

France wants firm and proportionate action against the Damascus regime," he said in an interview. The French Parliament is due to meet on September 4 for an emergency Syria session.

Hollande said the British Parliament's rebuff would not influence the course of action Paris would take.

Meanwhile, The US said that it is seeking an "international coalition" for military strikes on Syria over alleged chemical attacks, even as it faced the prospect of unilateral action after the UK rejected involvement in a shock Parliament vote.

A UK government motion calling for a strong humanitarian response which may have included military strikes was rejected by 272 votes to 285 late last night after seven hours of impassioned debate in the House of Commons.

Cameron, who has been aligned with President Obama in advocating a tough response, indicated after the vote that he would abide by the outcome.

The outcome raises serious questions for Obama, who has not yet made a decision on the way forward in Syria but had indicated his administration would need international support for any strike.

After failing to win support for an anti-Assad resolution before the UN Security Council, US officials were looking to allies like Britain and France to build a coalition for action in Syria.

The White House said after the vote that it would continue to assess its options on Syria.