Syria: Cameron Still Wants 'Robust Response'

David Cameron has vowed to keep pushing for a "robust response" against the Syrian regime following his crushing Commons defeat.

The Prime Minister said it was a "regret" that he had been unable to rally support for military action in Syria after last week's chemical attack in Damascus.

But he promised to respect the will of Parliament and confirmed the involvement of UK troops was completely off the table because of MPs' strong opposition.

Mr Cameron said: "I think it's important we have a robust response to the use of chemical weapons and there are a series of things we will continue to do.

"We will continue to take a case to the United Nations, we will continue to work in all the organisations we are members of - whether the EU, or Nato, or the G8 or the G20 - to condemn what's happened in Syria.

"It's important we uphold the international taboo on the use of chemical weapons."

In Washington, President Barack Obama is meeting with his national security team to discuss the crisis. US officials are then expected to release intelligence regarding the chemical attack.

UN inspectors in Syria are wrapping up their investigation

Former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown suggested Mr Cameron had been left "broken-backed" by the Commons defeat and Britain was reduced as a country.

He told Sky News: "I fear as I wake up this morning that our country is a hugely, hugely diminished country.

"In more than 50 years of trying to serve my country in one form or another, I don't think I have ever felt more depressed or ashamed."

Chancellor George Osborne also admitted there would be "national soul-searching" about the UK's role on the world stage following the vote.

But Mr Cameron insisted Britain remained "deeply engaged" as he rejected the idea he would have to apologise to Barack Obama for not joining any future coalition.

Highlighting the UK's military power and diplomatic influence, he said: "We have great strengths as a country, we should continue to use those.

"But on this specific issue, because of the huge concerns about this appalling Syrian conflict and people worrying about how we might get sucked into it, on that specific issue that trumped, as it were, the sense of outrage about the chemical weapons.

"I understand that, I get that."

The Prime Minister recalled Parliament for an emergency debate and vote following the atrocity in Damascus, where more than 1,300 people are believed to have died.

Urging MPs to support possible military action against Bashar al Assad regime, he called the massacre "abhorrent" and the cause of "sickening human suffering".

Mr Cameron admitted it was not possible to be 100% certain the Assad regime was behind the attack in Damascus but said he had been convinced by the evidence available.

Syrian leader Bashar Assad remains defiant

But he was left humiliated when 39 Tory rebels and nine Liberal Democrats joined with Labour to oppose the Government and won by 285 votes to 272.

The Prime Minister had already been forced to water down his position by Labour and promise direct British involvement would require a second vote.

Education Secretary Michael Gove was heard shouting "disgrace, you're a disgrace" at coalition rebels after the result was announced.

The Scottish National Party's Westminster leader Angus Robertson told Sky News he watched as the minister had to be "persuaded to calm down".

Mr Osborne insisted it was a testament to Mr Cameron that he had gone to Parliament to ask for its consent, rather than pushing ahead.

One of the Tory rebels, former minister Crispin Blunt, also brushed off the impact on the Prime Minister's reputation as a "temporary blip".

"He has done a huge amount to repair the reputation of the institution of Parliament, having learned the lessons from Tony Blair and the experience of 2003 and Iraq," he said.

"He exposed himself to the potential for defeat last night because of the way he manages Parliament. That is to his eternal credit."

But Labour leader Ed Miliband accused Mr Cameron of "reckless and impulsive leadership" and trying to force the issue in order to fit in with the US.

"People are deeply concerned about the chemical weapons attacks in Syria, but they want us to learn the lessons of Iraq," he said.

David Cameron said he didn't feel he needed to apologise to Barack Obama

"They don't want a rush to war. They want things done in the right way, working with the international community."

Mr Miliband infuriated Downing Street by refusing to back the Government even after the Prime Minister made major concessions.

Asked if the leader had behaved dishonourably, Mr Cameron said: "It's a matter for him to defend the way he behaved and his conduct. In the end, opposition leaders have to make choices just as prime ministers make choices."

He added: "I made a sincere and I believe powerful argument, but people have equally sincere and powerful views in a different way.

"That's what Parliament's for, that's what democracy is for. We vote, we decide and then we act accordingly."

The White House insisted Britain remained "one of our closest allies and friends" and promised the US would continue to communicate with No10 over Syria.

But Caitlin Hayden, Mr Obama's National Security Council spokeswoman, hinted at possible unilateral action by saying he would act based "on the best interests" of the US.

"He believes that there are core interests at stake for the US and that countries who violate international norms regarding chemical weapons need to be held accountable," she said.

The Turkish foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said intelligence gathered in Ankara left "no doubt" that the Assad regime was responsible for the chemical attack. Turkey has said it would be ready to take part in any international action against Syria.

French president Francois Hollande also made clear he would be ready to go ahead without Britain as he insisted all options are still on the table.

Stressing the need for "proportional and firm action", he said: "The chemical massacre of Damascus cannot and must not remain unpunished."

However, Vladimir Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov is reported to have said: "We wouldn't want, of course, for the situation to be getting close to when one country or a group of countries would indict, judge and execute a sentence all on its own accord."

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