Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned America and its allies against taking one-sided action in Syria.

He said any military strikes without UN approval would be “an aggression”.

US President Barack Obama has called for punitive action in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack.

Putin said Russia did not rule out supporting a UN Security Council resolution authorising force, if it is proved “beyond doubt” that the Syrian government used chemical weapons.

He said it was “too early” to talk about what Russia would do if America took action without a UN resolution.

Meanwhile in the US, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have agreed on a draft resolution backing the use of US military force.

The measure to be voted on next week sets a time limit of 60 days on any operation.

According to a copy of the draft resolution obtained by AFP news agency, the senators wish to restrict the operation to a “limited and tailored use of the United States Armed Forces against Syria”, and bans the use of any ground forces.

The US has put the death toll from the alleged chemical attack on the outskirts of Damascus on 21 August at 1,429, including 426 children, though other countries and organisations have given lower figures