Russia's potential "breakthrough" plan to put Syria's chemical weapons under international control but would keep the pressure on Damascus by asking Congress to authorize U.S. military strikes.
Obama said "he would pause any military action if Syria would relinquish control of its chemical weapons arsenal".
Obama said "he would pause any military action if Syria would relinquish control of its chemical weapons arsenal".
Congress sought to buy more time to explore Russia's offer. Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid pushed back a Wednesday test vote on authorizing military strikes to possibly later in the week.
"I don't think we need to see how fast we can do this. We have to see how well we can do this," Reid told his colleagues.
Kerry suggested in London, in response to a reporter's question, that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could avoid a military strike by surrendering his chemical arsenal.
Russia pounced on the comment, and Syria also said it was open to a proposal to put the weapons under international control.
Obama said he prefers a diplomatic solution in Syria, but is still sceptical.
Source: Reuters
