US President Barack Obama has said he will seek the vote of the US Congress for military action against Syria.

Obama said he was "comfortable" to go without authorization from a "paralyzed" UN Security Council.

"I've decided that the Unites States should take military action against Syrian regime targets," he said.

Obama said last week's gas attack that killed 1,429 people should not only be "investigated" but "confronted," and added the US army was ready to strike "whenever we choose."

As commander-in-chief, Obama is entitled to order action without Congress approval. The US Congress is scheduled to reconvene on September 9.

Top US officials have said intelligence reports show the Syrian government is responsible for the chemical weapons attack that they say violates international norms and have called for forceful response against Damascus, which denies any involvement.

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US President Barack Obama

Agencies