AP sources: Obama open to UN resolution on Syria’s chemical arms without force trigger

WASHINGTON – Senior administration officials say President Barack Obama would be open to a United Nations resolution to secure Syria’s chemical weapons that does not include the threat of military force for failing to abide by the agreement.

The officials say Obama retains the authority to launch a strike, but Russia is expected to veto a resolution that includes a military trigger.

The officials also outlined for the first time a timetable for negotiations with Russia over Syria’s chemical weapons. The officials say they will know within a few weeks whether that effort has the necessary traction.

Another official says talks with Russia in Geneva are at a “pivotal point” and will continue Saturday.

The officials insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the internal deliberations by name.