US President Barack Obama has cleared the first hurdle in his race to win congressional backing for strikes to punish Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons.
Last night the White House won the support of a key Senate panel for its plan for a limited military response.
Congress could vote as early as next week to authorise the action.
However the threat has done nothing to calm the chaos on the ground in Syria with refugees continue to flee the country.
The UN refugee agency and four states which have taken in hundreds of thousands have issued a plea for the international community to end the "cycle of horror."
Doctor Bouthaina Shaaban is an advisor to President Assad and has again insisted the regime didn't use chemical weapons:
Meanwhile, the United Nations is continuing to push for a Syria peace conference.
Talks on a conference are to be relaunched at the G20.
A UN envoy says if agreement can be reached with major world powers a conference could be held as early as next month.
