Obama says U.S. to work with Russian, partners on Syria chemical weapons

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday night said in a White House address that the United States will work with Russia and other partners to work on a UN resolution making Syria give up chemical weapons.

Making the case for action on Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons, Obama said he has asked Congress to postpone a vote on the military strike against Syria, and let more time for diplomacy to work.

Obama said he is sending Secretary of State John Kerry to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday, and he will continue his own discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I've spoken to the leaders of two of our closest allies -- France and the United Kingdom -- and we will work together in consultation with Russia and China to put forward a resolution at the U.N. Security Council requiring Assad to give up his chemical weapons and to ultimately destroy them under international control," said Obama.