PARIS, Sept 7: European Union nations called for a ‘strong’ response to chemical attack in Syria on Saturday but stopped short of endorsing military action, as US President Barack Obama warned of the dangers of turning ‘a blind eye’ to the attack.

Fresh from a G20 summit in Saint Petersburg where he failed to win over world leaders to his cause, Mr Obama urged Congress to authorise an intervention over President Bashar al-Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to images like the ones we’ve seen out of Syria,” President Obama said in his weekly address.

“That’s why I call on members of Congress, from both parties, to come together and stand up for the kind of world we want to live in.”

Congress reconvenes on Monday and Mr Obama is set to address the nation on Tuesday about a possible US response to the August 21 attack that left hundreds dead on the outskirts of Damascus.

Washington meanwhile sought to muster support from its divided allies in Europe, with US Secretary of State John Kerry holding protracted talks with the EU’s 28 foreign ministers in the Lithuanian capital before arriving in France for talks with his French counterpart. He will head to Britain on Sunday.

Split between Paris and London, who are hard-line supporters of US-led military action, and smaller nations reluctant to act without a UN mandate and fearful of “day-after” consequences of an attack, the EU ministers managed to hammer out a compromise in Vilnius.

A statement read out by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton dubbed last month’s suspected chemical weapons attack “a war crime and a crime against humanity”.

There was “strong evidence that the Syrian regime is responsible,” the statement said, echoing earlier claims made by Washington, London and Paris but strongly rejected by key Syria ally Moscow.

“The international community cannot remain idle,” the statement added. “A clear and strong response is critical to make clear that such crimes are unacceptable and that there can be no impunity.”

As he headed to Paris, Mr Kerry welcomed the “strong statement about the need for accountability... that supports the efforts to hold the Assad regime accountable for what he’s done”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has said that her country will not take part in any military action in Syria, hailed the united EU position as a signal of “invaluable importance”, her spokesman said in a statement.

In Riyadh, the Gulf Cooperation Council urged the international community to intervene immediately to “rescue” the Syrian people from “oppression”.

Meanwhile, Catholics worldwide held a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria joined by Jews, Muslims and Orthodox Christians, with Pope Francis hosting a mass vigil.

The Vatican has warned military strikes could escalate the conflict and cause it to spill over into the region.

“Peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity, #prayforpeace,” Pope Francis wrote in one tweet, with another saying simply: “Never again war! War never again!”—AFP