British Prime Minister David Cameron lost a parliamentary vote about joining in a military strike against Syria.
The vote for military action failed to pass 285 to 272, Reuters reports. After the vote, Cameron said he would not go against the vote as it was clear British lawmakers did not want to be a part of the military strike.
Labour party leader Ed Miliband questioned Cameron on the matter. Cameron responded, “I strongly believe in the need for a tough responses to the use of chemical weapons, but I also believe in respecting the will of this House of Commons.”
Though Parliament voted against military action, it doesn’t mean that Britain will completely sit out and punishment meted to Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Los Angeles Times notes, though it would be difficult.
Many in the House wanted U.N. backing before any military action against Syria, and that all other avenues of reprisal should be considered first. Lawmakers also want findings from the U.N. weapon inspectors before action is taken.
While U.S. allies are trying to figure out a course of action, Syrian allies are already working to back the country USA Today reports. Russia is currently sending warships to the Mediterranean.
Most analysts agree though that Syrian allies are mainly posturing against the United States. “The Russians can help Syria politically and diplomatically in the United Nations, and provide supplies, but they’re not nearly as capable as they were at the end of the Cold War,” Chris Harmer of the Institute for the Study of War said.
image: Wikimedia Commons
