The US, he said, cannot accept a world in which women and children are gassed:
“The world has an obligation, to make sure that we maintain the norm against the use of chemical weapons. I have not made a final decision about various actions that might be taken to help enforce that norm. But, as I’ve already said, I have had my military and our team look at a wide range of options. In no event are we considering any kind of military action that would involve boots on the ground, that would involve a long-term campaign”.

Washington accuses Syrian government forces of using chemical weapons - a claim denied by Damascus.

US President Obama says he is weighing a ‘limited and narrow’ action against Syria, but emphasised there would be no ‘boots on the ground’.

Meanwhile in France, President Hollande’s administration has said the country’s military is ready to commit forces.

and, UK Prime Minister David Cameron puts his case for action against Syria. but he failed to convince MPs of the case for war.

   

But Russia has said the UN must finish its investigation into the claims before discussing any resolution.

"'Chemical weapons' use in Syria, whoever has done it, is a criminal action and must be condemned. This is Iran's clear and absolute position," Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on his Facebook page.
"Did all those countries, which make a lot of noise today, have the same position when Saddam Hussein killed many civilians by chemical bombs in [the Iranian town of] Sardasht?" Mr Zarif added.

However, Iran does not trust the intention of the United States and its allies in launching military action against the Syrian government under the pretext of humanitarian intentions.

Forces which could be used against Syria:

• Four US destroyers - USS Gravely, USS Ramage, USS Barry and USS Mahan - are in the eastern Mediterranean, equipped with cruise missiles
  
• Cruise missiles could also be launched from submarines, including a British Trafalgar class boat. HMS Tireless was reportedly sighted in Gibraltar at the weekend
  
• Airbases at Incirlik and Izmir in Turkey, and in Jordan, could be used to carry out strikes
  
• Two aircraft carriers - USS Nimitz and USS Harry S Truman are in the wider region
  
• The Royal Navy's response force task group- which includes helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious and frigates HMS Montrose and HMS Westminster - is in the region on a previously-scheduled deployment
  
• RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus could also be used
  
• French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently in Toulon in the western Mediterranean
  
• French Raffale and Mirage aircraft can also operate from Al-Dhahra airbase in the UAE
  

   

If US Attacks Syria, What's Next?