Obama warns Syria over alleged use of chemical weapons
On day one of his trip to the Middle East, U.S. President Barack Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem -- offering tough talk on a wide range of regional issues.
At a joint news conference, Obama said the U.S. was investigating alleged chemical weapons use Syria, and maintained he would hold the Assad regime accountable.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"We have been clear that the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people would be a serious and tragic mistake."
On Iran, Obama said diplomacy is the first option, but added:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"All options are on the table. We will do what is necessary to prevent Iran from getting the world's worst weapons."
Netanyahu -- meanwhile -- hinted at a possible go-it-alone plan to attack Iran's nuclear program.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:
"Tha
At a joint news conference, Obama said the U.S. was investigating alleged chemical weapons use Syria, and maintained he would hold the Assad regime accountable.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"We have been clear that the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people would be a serious and tragic mistake."
On Iran, Obama said diplomacy is the first option, but added:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"All options are on the table. We will do what is necessary to prevent Iran from getting the world's worst weapons."
Netanyahu -- meanwhile -- hinted at a possible go-it-alone plan to attack Iran's nuclear program.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:
"Tha