Syria Still on Alert even if Strike Threat has Receded

Syria's army is still on alert, a security official said Monday, even if the threat of an imminent U.S.-led strike has receded after U.S. President Barack Obama decided to ask Congress for approval.

"American aggression against Syria, if it happens, is a form of support to terrorism.... The army is on alert and will remain so until terrorism is completely eradicated," the official, who wished to remain anonymous, told AFP.

Obama, whose surprise decision Saturday to ask for the OK of lawmakers pushes back any military intervention in Syria until next week at the earliest, has set off on an intense lobbying campaign to get approval.

Washington said Sunday that it had proof the Damascus regime used sarin gas in a deadly attack on August 21 that precipitated the threat of U.S.-led military retaliation against Syria.

But the regime of Bashar Assad categorically denies being behind the suspected attack, and its close ally Moscow has said it is totally unconvinced by evidence presented by the United States and its allies.