Although Canada is not planning a military intervention in Syria, the government 鈥渇ully鈥� supports the United States as it weighs a 鈥渓imited鈥� attack on the country, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Friday.
鈥淐anada believes that a firm and unequivocal response is needed to deter any future use of chemical weapons,鈥� Baird said in a statement.
鈥淲e also believe that a clear message on the proliferation and use of such weapons must be sent to rogue regimes around the world.鈥�
U.S. President Barack Obama said Friday he is weighing "limited and narrow" action against Syria after his administration concluded that Bashar Assad鈥檚 regime killed at least 1,429 people in a chemical weapons attack.
More than 400 Syrian children were among those victims, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday.
"We're not considering a boots-on-the-ground approach," Obama said, adding that he prefers multilateral action but doesn鈥檛 want 鈥渢he world to be paralyzed.鈥�
After British Prime Minister David Cameron lost a parliamentary vote endorsing U.K. military action in Syria, France remains the United States鈥� only major ally in a possible attack.
Two of Syria鈥檚 allies on the UN Security Council, Russia and China, oppose a military intervention.
鈥淎lthough the Prime Minister made very clear yesterday that the Government of Canada has no plans at this time for a Canadian military mission, we fully support our friends and allies in responding to the Assad regime鈥檚 horrific attack on its own people,鈥� Baird said in his statement.
鈥淭he Obama administration has shown great resolve and proper due diligence in the past week, and we fully support its efforts going forward.鈥�
Baird added that the Canadian government will keep in 鈥渃lose contact鈥� with its allies in the coming days.
With files from The Associated Press
