The White House said on Friday it would release an intelligence assessment of the apparent chemical weapons attack in Syria, as President Barack Obama faced growing pressure to win support for military action from a war-weary public, skeptical lawmakers and international allies, Reuters reported. The unclassified assessment, expected to be released later on Friday, could give more details about last week's chemical attack that killed hundreds and provide more insight into why administration officials have said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government was responsible. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also will make a public statement at 12:30 p.m. EDT (1630 GMT) on Friday, a government source said, as the administration tries to build a public case for military intervention. Obama on Friday morning convened a meeting of his national security team, including Kerry and National Security Adviser Susan Rice, to discuss Syria, a White House official said. Obama administration officials said the president was willing to go it alone, if necessary, after the British parliament voted late Thursday against a military strike intended to punish the Syrian government. France said on Friday it still backed action in Syria. Any military strike appears to be delayed at least until U.N. investigators report back after leaving Syria, and some prominent lawmakers suggested on Thursday after a briefing from the administration that the White House should slow down the rush to action. -- SPA 19:20 LOCAL TIME 16:20 GMT تغريد
