Syria News Recap: All The Latest Developments

Summarizing the latest updates in the rapidly changing Syria story.

From Bloomberg

U.S. ACTIONS:

• Fifth destroyer heads to eastern Mediterranean
• U.S. makes case at UN Security Council meeting held at Russia’s request; members decline to comment as they leave
• President Obama speaks with Germany’s Merkel; leaders agree Syrian use of gas was “severe breach of international law,” Merkel spokesman says
• State Dept spokeswoman Marie Harf tells reporters consultation “incredibly important,” yet “we make our own decisions in our own timeline”
• Obama administration on track to release public intelligence report this week, White House spokesman Josh Earnest says
• White House to hold unclassified briefing for lawmakers this evening as members of Congress insist they must approve action
• Speaking on condition of anonymity, 3 U.S. officials say intercepted Syrian communications provide no ironclad evidence that Assad or members of his inner circle ordered the attack

SYRIAN ACTIONS:

• Syrians Move Weapons Ahead of Possible Attack: Reuters Link
• Assad tells Syrians he will defend them against “threats of direct aggression” in comments reported on state television

INTERNATIONAL ACTIONS:

• Putin, Merkel back efforts to find diplomatic solution
• U.K. releases assessment showing it’s “highly likely” that Syrian govt was behind mass killing of civilians; govt says exceptional measures possible without UN backing
• Fabius says France preparing Syria response with partners
• UN inspectors to leave Syria by early Aug. 31, report to UN Secretary-General
• Harper says Canada has no plans for military mission

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• Syria Strikes Recede as Cameron, Obama Struggle for Support