Obama and Hollande commit to a political solution in Syria besides potential military strikes

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande (frahn-SWAH’ oh-LAWND’) say they are committed to a political solution in Syria even as they prepare for potential military strikes.

The two leaders spoke after meeting in St. Petersburg on the sidelines of the Group of 20 economic summit. Hollande has backed Obama’s call for U.S.-led strike in Syria, but French officials say they’re waiting for the outcome of a vote in Congress and won’t proceed alone.

Obama says both countries concluded the Assad regime used chemical weapons against civilians and that any action they take would be limited. Obama says he and Hollande discussed getting support for action in Syria from other European leaders since he said it’s clear many agree that international prohibitions on chemical weapons must be upheld.