Cairo: Syria on Sunday described as "historic American retreat" President Barack Obama's "confused" decision to seek Congressional nod before launching a military strike against it over alleged use of chemical weapons on civilians. "Whether the Congress lights the red or green light for an aggression, and whether the prospects of war have been enhanced or faded, President Obama has announced yesterday, by prevaricating or hinting, the start of the historic American retreat," state-run Al-Thawra daily said in a sarcastic tone.

In a surprise move, Obama yesterday announced he believes military action against Syrian targets is the right step to take over the alleged use of chemical weapons but he wants Congressmen to weigh in on whether to use military force. The paper in a front page article said Obama worries about limited intervention turning into "an open war has pushed him to seek Congress' consent." The US claimed 1,429 people were killed in the chemical attacks in a Damascus suburb by the Syrian army on August 21. Syria, however, denied US charges, saying jihadists fighting with the rebels used the deadly weapons in an effort to turn global sentiments against it. Giving Syria's first reaction to Obama's decision, Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad today said Obama has become "hesitant" and "confused".

"President Obama was clearly hesitant, disappointed and confused when he spoke yesterday," Muqdad said. He also urged the US Congressmen to show "wisdom" while voting on the proposed military attack on Syria. "We ask the US Congress to show wisdom," Muqdad said. Earlier, the embattled regime of President Bashar al-Assad said it has its "finger on the trigger" over an imminent military strike from the US and its Western allies. "The Syrian army is fully ready, its finger on the trigger to face any challenge or scenario that they want to carry out," Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi said on Saturday.