David Cameron: Britain cannot 'stand idly by' while chemical attacks continue in Syria

Prime Minister David Cameron has condemned President Bashar al-Assad's regime for its use of chemical weapons on civilians, saying Britain cannot "stand idly by" while chemical attacks continue.

7:48PM BST 27 Aug 2013

Speaking from Downing Street the Prime Minister said any action taken by Britain would centre around protecting civilians from the use of chemical weapons.

He stressed that action would not involve getting into a prolonged war in the Middle East.

"No decision has yet been taken ... but let's be clear, what we've seen inSyria are apalling scenes of death and suffering because of the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime."

"And I dont believe we can let that stand"

"Now let me stress to people this is not about getting involved in a Middle Eastern war ... its nothing to do with that. It's about chemical weapons their use is wrong ," Mr Cameron said.