While the debate on the authorization for a limited military strike against Syria is waging in Congress the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has repeatedly warned the United States on Tuesday that a military strike against Syria without specific approval from the UN Security Council would be in “violation of international law and could bring more tragedy to the violence-stricken country” (source: UN chief Ban Ki Moon warns Syria Strike Illegal without Security Council OK http://www.en.rian.ru/world/20130903/183149824/UN-Chief-Ban-Ki-Moon-Warns-Syria-Strike-Illegal-Without-Security-Council-OK.html).
Meanwhile Russia has not rule out agreeing to a limited U.S. military operation in Syria, despite news to the contrary – provided Damascus’ responsibility for using chemical weapons is proved – (something the Administration is unwilling or unable to do) and only with United Nations approval, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday (source: Russia does not rule out backing military action in Syria
http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130904/183157113/Russia-Does-Not-Rule-Out-Backing-Military-Action-in-Syria–Putin.html).
The White House issued a statement on Syria on Wednesday in response to critics that seeks to justify its position on Syria to use military force, while at the same time dodged the issue of its legality in terms of the UN:
“We have high confidence that Syria used, in an indiscriminate fashion, chemical weapons that killed thousands of people, including over 400 children, and in direct violation of the international norm against using chemical weapons. That poses a serious national security threat to the United States and to the region, and as a consequence, Assad and Syria needs to be held accountable.” —President Obama:http://at.wh.gov/oxi1H
The White House Press office subsequently refused to comment on whether or not its decision to use military force without UN Security Council approval is a direct violation of international law which would put the country squarely at odds, not only with the Secretary General but key members of the Security Council, namely Russia and China.