Canada won’t attack Syria, but backs ‘forceful action’ by others

{mosads}“At the present time the government of Canada has no plans … to have a Canadian military mission,” Harper said at a press conference during which he announced new laws to punish sex offenders.

Harper also said, however, that his government was “a very reluctant convert to the idea that there needs to be some Western military action” against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, based on the fear that, otherwise, more chemical attacks would be forthcoming.

As a result, while Canada would not involve itself directly, Harper said Canada was supportive of any “forceful action” taken by its allies.

President Obama has been publicly contemplating military action against Syria and has been involved in discussions with allies to work out a unified response. British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande have also been open to strikes against Assad.