THE FRENCH NUCLEAR AIRCRAFT CARRIER CHARLES DE GAULLE IS IN THE MEDITTERANEAN AWAITING ACTION FROM FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE

French President François Hollande came under heightened pressure Monday to secure the backing of lawmakers before taking military action in Syria, with his position significantly complicated by President Obama’s decision to consult Congress ahead of any strike.

Hollande, a vocal critic of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has long stood with British Prime Minister David Cameron in calling for tougher action. But after Cameron’s parliamentary defeat last week over military action in Syria and Obama’s weekend move, Hollande finds himself facing a new set of political risks.

The threat of attacks on Syria add to uncertainty in neighboring Lebanon, which is facing pressures of its own.

France’s National Assembly is set to debate possible Syria action on Wednesday, but lawmakers are not scheduled to vote on a resolution. Under French law, Hollande does not need to call a vote until four months after any intervention has started and has, thus far, rejected one prior to any strike.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/obamas-outreach-to-congress-on-syria-stirs-call-for-hollande-to-consult-french-parliament/2013/09/02/c1308d9a-1406-11e3-b220-2c950c7f3263_story.html?hpid=z14