Lawmakers still skeptical on Syria

WASHINGTON -- White House officials convened a briefing on Syria for congressional leaders Thursday evening, as lawmakers from both parties continued to express skepticism about taking military action without congressional authorization.

A Syrian soldier takes position during a patrol in a rural area of Damascus in an undated photo (Courtesy LA Times Via Syrian News Agency)

Top administration officials including National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel led the nearly 90-minute conference call, an unclassified session that included intelligence on the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces in rebel-held areas of his country.

The two dozen congressional leaders were sought out “to brief them on the administration’s thinking and seek their input,” the administration said in a statement.

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