US SENATOR CAUGHT PLAYING POKER DURING SYRIA HEARING
Washington, 28 Shawwal 1434/4 September 2013 (MINA) – US Senator John McCain has been caught playing poker on his iPhone during a Senate hearing on the White House’s strike plan against Syria.
The Washington Post posted evidence of McCain’s fooling around during the Tuesday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.
The picture, which was shot by photographer Melina Mara, showed the Arizona Republican’s hands and his iPhone.
Shortly afterward, McCain posted a sarcastic tweet on his Twitter account that began with the word, “Scandal!”
McCain, a longtime advocate of forceful military intervention in Syria, has signaled that he supports President Barack Obama’s plan for military action against Syria. He has said it would be “catastrophic” if a vote in Congress fails to pass.
Top administration officials were testifying on launching an offensive against the Arab country on Tuesday. Press Tv reported monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).
Washington has accused the Syrian government of attacking foreign-backed militants stationed near Damascus with chemical weapons. Syria has categorically rejected the accusation, arguing that the US is using allegation as a pretext to attack the country.
Meanwhile, the President Barack Obama says the US should take military action against Syria and he will seek congressional authorisation for intervention.
The US says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks on 21 August in which 1,429 people died.
Mr Obama said the operation would be limited in duration and strong to deter future chemical attacks. Congress is due to reconvene on 9 September.
The Syrian government denies it was behind the attacks and blames rebels.
UN inspectors who have been investigating the attacks arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday with samples from site visits, which will be tested in laboratories in Europe.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is overseeing the investigation, said the whole testing process could take up to three weeks, although “every effort” would be made to expedite it.
Senior White House officials told that Mr Obama’s decision to seek congressional approval was made by the president on Friday afternoon. It had not been planned until then.
(T/P01/P04).
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
