Syria crisis: Barack Obama to give Russia's chemical weapons plan a chance, states reasons for milit
Syria crisis: Barack Obama to give Russia's chemical weapons plan a chance, states reasons for military action
Mr Obama used a nationally televised address to Americans to denounce last month's gas attack which killed 1,400 Syrians, including more than 400 children, describing it as "sickening" and a "danger" to US national security.
He stated his case for military action, saying president Bashar al-Assad must be brought to account or he will use chemical weapons again.
"When dictators commit atrocities, they depend on the world to look the other way until those horrifying pictures fade from memory," Mr Obama said.
"The question now is what the United States of America and the international community is prepared to do about it.
"Because what happened to those people, to those children, is not only a violation of international law, it's also a danger to our security."
However, Mr Obama said he had asked Congress to delay a vote on military action while a Russian initiative was explored further.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-11/us-president-barack-obama-addresses-nation-on-syria-crisis/4950614