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Middle East and North Africa

Senator McCain opposes U.S. Congress resolution on Syria

Republican senator unhappy with limited scope of operation

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

WASHINGTON, September 4. (ITAR-TASS) – Republican senator John McCain has announced that he was not ready to support the resolution of the U.S. Congress on military strike on Syria. Talking with journalists, the lawmaker said he was not happy with the document in its current form.

August 31 the resolution draft, sanctioning a military operation against Syria was submitted to the Congress by the White House. September 3 The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has drawn up their own version of the document. It was crafted by chairman of the Committee democrat Robert Menendez of New Jersey and senior republican Bob Corker of Tennessee.

Proposed amendments allocate 60 days for the Syrian operation starting from the day the resolution is adopted; the period can be prolonged for 30 days more. At the same time, the document prohibits the American military from deploying ground forces.

Menendez plans to put this resolution to Committee vote September 4. The Senate and The House of Representatives can vote no earlier than next week when parliamentarians come back from the summer break.

McCain previously voiced his opposition to limited military actions against the Syrian regime, proposing more broad and severe measures, including a no-fly zone and increased support of the armed opposition. On Wednesday the senator announced that there’s a lot of other lawmakers in Congress, unhappy with the proposed resolution.

John McCain, who even among American media has the reputation of a “war hawk,” is nonetheless held in high regard among his colleagues; thus he may sway opinion of other senators.

September 1 U.S. President Barack Obama, looking to secury McCaine’s support, has met with him and another conservative republican senator Lindsey Graham a meeting on Syria at the White House.

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