UK: Action over Syria possible without UN unity

LONDON  — Britain's foreign secretary says that diplomatic pressure has not worked on Syria's government, and suggested that a response to alleged chemical weapon use there is possible without "complete unity" in the United Nations Security Council.

William Hague accused the Security Council of "not shouldering its responsibilities" over the Syria crisis in an interview with the BBC on Monday.

He did not specify what action Britain is prepared to take, but said that any response will be "in accordance with international law."

A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron says that no decisions or timetable for military action have been made.

U.N. experts are beginning an investigation Monday into a suspected chemical attack near the Syrian capital Damascus that reportedly killed hundreds last week.