Obama, Kerry Can Discuss Memo on Military Action Against Assad Forces

US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry can discuss a recent internal memorandum calling for military action against the Syrian government in a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Friday, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby told Sputnik that an internal memorandum was under review urging the United States to take military action against the Syrian government. A draft of the memo, signed by 51 diplomats, was obtained by The New York Times from a State Department official on Thursday.

"I would anticipate they will cover a range of issues, I would not rule out that this topic could come up, but this meeting is not focused on the so-called dissent cable [on Syria]," Earnest stated on Wednesday.

Russia recognizes Assad as the legitimate authority in Syria, and has repeatedly stated the Syrian people should be free to choose their leadership without outside intervention. The United States and some of its allies have been supporting elements of the opposition, including Islamic extremists with ties to al-Qaeda, and have urged Assad to resign.