DHAKA: US president Barack Obama says the international community and Congress’s credibility are on the line if a chemical attack on civilians in Syria goes unanswered.

Obama is seeking congressional and international support for military action against the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Obama rejected suggestions he set a red line for action against Syria in the event Assad used chemical weapons.

He said the red line was set by the international community and by Congress, which ratified a treaty condemning the use of chemical weapons.

He acknowledged that a military response would not resolve the civil war in Syria, but was needed to send a clear message, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1944 HRS, SEPT 04, 2013
RoR/GCP