The military has evacuated most of its headquarters in Damascus in advance of a possible Western strike. The government asked the UN to keep its investigative team longer in country to look into the chemical attack on Aug. 21, which Syria said was executed by rebel forces with an agent “close to the nerve gas sarin,” and to investigate other sites of alleged rebel attacks in the Damascus suburbs as well. UN Secretary Ban did not respond directly, but said, “It is essential to establish the facts,” and asked for more time for the team to finish its work; only two days of investigation have been completed so far. A draft resolution at the UN authorizing the use of force against Syria stalled; the US blamed Russia. At least 6,000 Syrians have fled to Lebanon through the main crossing in the past 24 hours, six times the usual number.
