Obama on Syria: 'We Are Prepared to Strike Whenever We Choose'

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By Brian Anthony Hernandez2013-08-31 14:31:55 -0400

A day after Barack Obama indicated the United States has an obligation as a world leader to respond to the suspected Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack on Damascus, the president on Saturday delivered a statement from the White House Rose Garden about the Syria crisis.

Obama, who is contemplating a "limited" military strike with no U.S. troops on the ground, said he authorized military action against Syria but will not act until Congress approves. Congress returns Sept. 9, but it could decide to reconvene earlier.

See also: War in Syria: Interactive Map Outlines Major Battle Zones

"In a world with many dangers, this menace must be confronted," Obama said a shortly before 2 p.m. ET on Saturday with Vice President Joe Biden by his side.

"We are prepared to strike whenever we choose," he continued, adding that the strike is not time sensitive. "It will be effective tomorrow, next week or one month from now."

The U.S. government suspects Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against Syrians, killing an estimated 1,429 people in last week's alleged chemical attack.

Obama called the attack "the worst chemical weapons attack in the 21st century," emphasizing the more than 400 children killed — "young girls and boys gassed to death by their own government."

See also: Read the Full White House Report on Syria Chemical Attack

You can watch Obama's press conference in the video above. The speech starts at 50:25 mark

Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Topics: Barack Obama, congress, Politics, Syria, U.S., US & World, World