U.N. inspectors in Syria are due to wrap up their investigation today into the alleged use of chemical weapons near Damascus last week.  They’ve spent this week looking into allegations that the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad used poison gas against civilians which led to 355 deaths. The U.N. inspectors are expected to leave Syria tomorrow and give their preliminary findings to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

U.S. President Barack Obama is preparing for the possibility of launching unilateral military action against Syria within days.  Josh Earnest is a special assistant to the president and says a military strike would be carried out with or without approval from the United Nations.  “We have also seen pretty clear statements from our allies from around the globe, from the Arab league, and others who had said that the Assad regime needs to be held responsible.  And the opinion of other world leaders in this situation, matters.”

Both Canada and the United Kingdom will be staying away from any possible military action against Syria.  Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada has no plans for a military intervention in Syria, “but supports its allies who are considering such action.”  In Britain, MPs opted out of any military action in a vote in Parliament.  But France appears willing to stand by the U.S. in a proposed aerial assault against Syria.  French President Francois Hollande says his country can go ahead with plans to strike Syria for its alleged chemical attack against Syrian civilians nine days ago.