French President Hollande: Will wait for US Congress decision on military action in Syria

PARIS – French President Francois Hollande says he’s waiting for a decision from the U.S. Congress on possible military action in Syria and insists France won’t strike against Bashar Assad’s regime alone.

The French leader and President Barack Obama have been the two most outspoken world leaders on the need to respond to a suspected chemical weapons attack Aug. 21 near Damascus that killed hundreds of people.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday alongside Germany’s president, Hollande said the U.S. vote sought by Obama about authorizing military action in Syria “will have consequences on the coalition that we will have to create.”

Hollande added that if the Congress votes no, France “will take up its responsibilities by supporting the democratic opposition (in Syria) in such a way that a response is provided.”

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