President Barack Obama says the U.N. Security council must agree to a resolution on Syrian chemical weapons that include consequences for the regime of President Bashar Assad if he doesn’t meet demands to dismantle his chemical stockpile.
Mr. Obama told his U.N. audience on Tuesday that failure to include such consequences would mean the international body is unable to enforce such requirements.
Mr. Obama said it would be “an insult to human reason and the legitimacy” of the U.N. to suggest that the Assad regime did not carry out a chemical attack on civilians last month.
To pursue nuclear agreement with Iran
President Barack Obama says he has directed Secretary of State John Kerry to pursue a nuclear weapons agreement with Iran and that he firmly believes “the diplomatic path must be tested.”
Mr. Obama told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday he’s encouraged that Iranian President Hasan Rouhani is pursuing a more moderate course. But he said Mr. Rouhani’s “conciliatory words will have to be matched by actions that are transparent and verifiable.”
The West has long suspected that Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon. Tehran has consistently denied the charge.
It’s still unclear if Mr. Obama will meet with Mr. Rouhani while at the United Nations. The leaders of the two countries haven’t had face-to-face contact in more than 30 years.
U.S. officials say no meeting is planned, although they haven’t ruled one out.
Kenya mall attack
Mr. Obama also added that the deadly terror attack on mall in Kenya is recent example of dangers that remain.
