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              Syrian Opposition 'Disappointed' by Obama's Decision

   Syria`s opposition says it is disappointed with U.S. President Barack
   Obama`s decision to hold off on taking quick action against Damascus
   and wait for possible approval from Congress.
   Opposition officials say any delay in a strike allows Syrian President
   Bashar al-Assad an opportunity to harm more civilians.
   On Saturday, President Obama delayed what had been a widely expected
   military strike against Syria, instead telling Americans he will seek
   congressional approval to punish the Syrian government for its alleged
   use of chemical weapons.
   In an address at the White House, Mr. Obama said he has decided the
   United States should take military action against Syrian government
   targets. But he said that while he believes he has the authority to
   order a strike, he also thinks it is important for the country to have
   a debate on the issue.
   Later Saturday, President Obama formally asked Congress to allow him to
   use military force in Syria to "deter, disrupt, prevent and degrade"
   the potential for more chemical attacks. The president ruled out any
   action that would put American ground troops in Syria.
   He called what happened in Damascus nearly two weeks ago the worst
   chemical weapons attack of the 21st century, and he said the U.S. must
   not turn a `blind eye" to it.
   U.S. congressional leaders responded by saying they expect the Senate
   and House of Representatives to take up the matter when they return
   from their summer recess the week of September 9.
   A U.N. inspection team wrapped up its work in Syria and left the
   country Saturday. A spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says
   the U.N. chief will get a briefing Sunday from the head of the
   inspection team. There is no word about when the team will present its
   full report. The U.N. spokesman said the team collected samples that
   will be analyzed in laboratories, as well as witness statements and
   interviews with doctors and survivors.
   The Syrian government has denied having any role in chemical weapons
   attacks. But Mr. Obama said U.S. intelligence is clear that "well over
   1,000 people" were murdered - gassed to death by their own government.
   In another development, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls is
   reported to have said Sunday that France will not take action alone
   against Syria, and will wait for a decision by U.S. Congress as Paris
   needs to be part of a coalition.
   Protesters around the world took to the streets on Saturday to protest
   for and against a possible U.S.-led attack on Syria.
   Amnesty International issued a statement calling on the U.N. Security
   Council to refer the Syrian situation to the International Criminal
   Court, to impose an arms embargo on the Syrian government, and to
   deploy international monitors to investigate and report on human rights
   abuses in Syria.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-opposition-disappointed-by-oba
   mas-decision/1741099.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-opposition-disappointed-by-obamas-decision/1741099.html