Passing the first hurdle to intervene in Syria, President Barack Obama’s plan to strike the country after the Assad regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons was backed by a Senate committee Wednesday. The Senate Foreign Relations committee voted 10-7 in favor of a resolution to allow military force. Democrats and Republicans found themselves voting on both sides of the issue. The committee backed a compromise effort which would set a 60-day limit on any action in Syria plus a possible 30-day extension. The vote bars U.S. ground troop operations in Syria. The full Senate is expected to vote on the resolution next week. The measure must also received approval by the House of Representatives.
[Reuters]