Geithner to warn Syria of possible UN action

WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is warning Syria that the international community may soon seek a resolution at the United Nations Security Council that could authorize the use of force.

In excerpts of remarks Geithner will deliver Wednesday, the Treasury Secretary calls for countries to exert "maximum financial pressure" through sanctions on the Syrian government. But he says sanctions alone cannot achieve the political change necessary in Syria after months of violence.

Geithner says unless Syria demonstrates "meaningful compliance" with current U.N. efforts to end the violence, the U.S. and other countries will "soon join in taking appropriate actions against the Syrian regime, including, if necessary, Chapter 7 action in the U.N. Security Council."

A Chapter 7 resolution authorizes actions that can ultimately include the use of military force.