Countdown to military strike on Syria

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013:
[Time in GMT]

 5-6 p.m.

• White House: Obama to authorize military attack on Syria even without Congressional approval

4-5 p.m.

• Canada won't join in military strike on Syria: PM
• Five permanent UNSC members to meet on Syria again at 18:30 GMT  in New York: diplomats
• ICRC: Military escalation in Syria will worsen civilians' plight
• Kuwait calls for 'deterrent' action against Syria 
   1-2 p.m.

• U.S. sends fifth destroyer to eastern Med: official
• Putin, Merkel agree UN Security Council must study Syria probe report: Kremlin
• UK could still launch strikes on Syria without UN approval: London
   

12-1 p.m.
 

• Syria will defend itself against any aggression: Assad
• Britain sends six Typhoon jets to Cyprus base 
   

8-10 a.m.
 

• Syria opposition chief meets with French president in Paris
• U.N. experts head to Damascus suburbs for third day investigations
• Russia to send two ships to east Mediterranean
• French president: ‘a political solution’ best to solve Syria crisis

 Infographic: Striking a balance

(Design by Farwa Rizwan / Al Arabiya English)

 Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013:

10-11 p.m.

• Obama: 'I have not made a decision' on Syria
• Obama: U.S. engagement in Syria civil war would not help
• Obama: Syria has largest chemical weapons stock in the region
• Obama: U.S. concludes Assad regime behind chemical attack
• Obama: Use of chemical weapons in Syria affects U.S. national interests
• Obama says wants to make sure there is not a situation where chemical weapons can be directed at the United States
• Obama: U.S. to show Syria 'it better not' use chemical arms again

6-7 p.m.

• U.S.: U.N. resolution on Syria stalls due to Russian ‘intransigence’
• Germany says Syria cannot go unpunished

5-6 p.m.

• U.S.: 'No avenue' forward on U.N. Syria resolution
• U.S.: Syrian government should not be allowed to hide behind Russia

4-5 p.m.

• U.N. inspectors to be withdrawn from Syria on Friday at the latest: Al Arabiya
• Syrian’s U.N. envoy Bashar al-Jaafari: “terrorist organization” behind use of chemical weapons
• Bashar al-Jaafari: attack on Syria will undermine inspections
• Jaafari: A military attack on Syria will violate international law
• Jaafari accuses three U.N. permanent member states of arming opposition
• Jaafari no U.N. consensus on military action against Syria
• Jaafari: we are in a state of war and we are taking precautions measures

2-3 p.m.

• Syria accuses West of inventing excuses to intervene
• Syria will become 'graveyard of invaders': PM

1-2 p.m.

• U.N. Security Council holds emergency meeting on Syria
• U.N. experts return to Damascus hotel after visit to poison gas site
• UK's Cameron says National Security Council meeting unanimous that 'world should not stand by'
• NATO: Use of chemical weapons in Syria 'cannot go unanswered'
• Israel authorizes partial army reserve call-up over Syria: radio
• Obama: Goal of "limited, tailored" military strike would be to "send shot across the bow" to deter future chemical weapons attacks