Britain recalls Parliament to discuss Syria

Aug. 26, 2013: This image taken from amateur video footage provided by the Media Office Of Moadamiyeh purports to show medics assisting a man lying on a bed who appears to be shaking uncontrollably as a UN inspection team visits a makeshift hospital in Moadamiyeh, a suburb of the Syrian capital of Damascus. (AP/Media Office Of Moadamiyeh)

LONDON – Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday recalled Parliament for an urgent discussion and vote on a possible military response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria.

Cameron said the crisis session will be held Thursday, when Parliament would traditionally be on its summer recess. A clear motion will be considered by lawmakers, who have been urging Cameron to consult Parliament before any possible action against Syria.

Cameron's office said that the UK is considering a "proportionate" response that would deter Syrian President Bashar Assad from using chemical weapons in the future.

The decision on the recall came as the military drew up contingency plans for a possible military attack on Syria.

Britain's Ministry of Defense also said that a planned Royal Air Force training mission involving British Typhoon fighter jets has been postponed. The jets were to have been deployed on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.