US senate committee in favour of military attacks in Syria
President Barack Obama said the credibility of the international community was on the line.
World leaders are set to clash on Syria during the upcoming G20 meeting
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee last night approved a resolution authorising the use of military force in Syria, by a vote of 10 to 7.
This clears the way for a full Senate vote, which is expected next week.
The measure permits limited military force in Syria for a period of 90 days, however it prevents the use of U.S. troops on the ground.
The vote was not along party lines with Republicans and Democrats voting for and against the measure.
Meanwhile, world leaders from the G20 group of nations are set to meet in Russia amid sharp differences over military action against Syria's government.
Ahead of the talks, Russia's Vladimir Putin warned that action without UN approval would be "an aggression".
But President Barack Obama said the credibility of the international community was on the line.
While Syria is not officially on the G20 agenda, ministers are expected to discuss it on the sidelines.
The annual summit of the G20 group of developed and developing nations which opens in St Petersburg is supposed to concentrate on the global economy.
