Top EU official urges UN for speedy report on Syria chemical weapons attack

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – The European Union is urging U.N. investigators to release information as soon as possible about a chemical weapons attack in Syria so that the international community can decide how to respond.

In unusually strong language, EU President Herman Van Rompuy told reporters in St. Petersburg on Thursday that the Aug. 21 attack "was a blatant violation of international law and a crime against humanity."

But he said it's too early for a military response, even as the United States and France are readying possible armed action against the Syrian government.

Van Rompuy pushed for a political solution and a report by U.N. investigators "as soon as possible." He said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will brief other leaders on Syria at the summit of the Group of 20 leading economies.