Chambliss calls for US strikes on Syria

WASHINGTON - Many U.S. lawmakers believe there is reasonable certainty the Syrian government was responsible fro the reported use of chemical weapons in the civil war in Syria and are pressing the White House to go ahead with an armed response.

"Based on available intelligence, there can be no doubt the Assad regime is responsible for using chemical weapons on the Syrian people," said Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, the ranking Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Short of putting troops on the ground, I believe a meaningful military response is appropriate."

Others, both Democrats and Republicans, have expressed serious concern with the expected military strike. And, U.S. intelligence officials were quoted Thursday morning as saying the intelligence linking President Bashar Assad or his inner circle to the alleged attack is no "slam dunk." (See separate story. Link below.)