Thu, 05 Sep, 2013 02:17:13 AM Obama meets leaders of Nordic countries in Stockholm Meeting condemns chemical attack FTimes News Desk, September 5  US President Barack Obama (2nd right), Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt (L-R), Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on the eve of the dinner. Photo - Lehtikuva Finland President Sauli Niinistö on Wednesday said his country expects an amicable solution of the existing crisis in Syria through the United Nations, news agency STT reported.
He also suggested for more discussions on the issue to find out solution at the meeting of the leaders of G-20 scheduled to be held in Saint Petersburg on Thursday.
“The United Nations and the member countries have a responsibility in this regard. The crisis in Syria should be resolved through the UN Security Council,” the Finnish president told STT replying to a query that whether Finland would support any attack on Syria.
Niinistö was responding to the press before attending the dinner party of the leaders of Nordic countries with the visiting US president Barack Obama in Stockholm on Wednesday night.
Niinistö, however, termed the use of chemical weapons as serious crime against humanity but he observed it is difficult to see that a solution will be achieved politically without some other actions.
“I hope the upcoming G20-countries summit would be able to give some new thoughts to resolve the Syria crisis,” the president said.
Meanwhile, the visiting US President, Barack Obama said he is "confident" that US congress will agree to government's plan of launching military strike against Syria, news agency Xinhua reported.
When asked what solutions he would take if the US congress fails to approve strike against Syria, Obama tactically skirted the question by replying that he is "confident" that congress would agree to military action against Syria.
Obama said that he did not intent to repeat the same mistake of false intelligence concerning Iraq, but emphasized he had "solid" intelligence this time that there has been chemical attack against Syrian people.
"With regard to the situation in Syria, we strongly condemn any and all use of chemical weapons. Those responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be held accountable, "Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said in a joint statement.
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Prime Minister of Denmark, Sauli Niinisto, President of Finland, US President Barack Obama, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden, Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway and Sigmundur Davio Gunnlaugsson, Prime Minister of Iceland pose for a group photo ahead of a dinner at Sager House in Stockholm on Wednesday night. Photo - AFP/Lehtikuva Barack Obama has said the credibility of the US, its Congress and the international community is on the line over their response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons, reported BBC.
He said the world should stick to its own "red line" against the use of chemical weapons, said the BBC report, adding that Obama is trying to build support in the US for punitive military action against the Syrian government.
Earlier, The US president on August 7 abruptly cancelled a meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for early September in Moscow but decide to participate in the G-20 meeting to be held in St Petersburg.
A number of international media reported that the cancellation of the Obama-Putin meeting is believed to be made in response to Russia’s decision to grant asylum to fugitive US spy-agency contractor Edward Snowden.
Obama on Wednesday held the meeting with the Nordic leaders during a stay-over in Sweden on his way to St Petersburg.
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