The United States says it's ready to launch military action against the Syrian government - but hasn't yet decided whether it will do so.
The US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel says military forces are "ready to go" if President Barack Obama orders a response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons.
However military officials have reportedly told Reuters that no formal decision has been made on whether a strike will be launched.
Britain is also drawing up contingency plans for military action, and David Cameron has recalled parliament to vote this Thursday on how the UK will respond.
Syria says it will defend itself against any attack - and its foreign minster, Walid Muallem, has again insisted that his country wasn't involved in last week's gas attack:
