♪ >> i'm rachelle kerry, here is the latest from al jazeera. the white house is still trying to rally support from its allies for a strike on syria, that makes it very clear it is willing to go it alone. firefighters are trying to slow down the progress of that massive wild fire inside yosemite national park. bad news for ol' day drivers as uncertainty on gas prices. ♪ ♪ we could learn more about plans the u.s. plans to respond to last week's chemical weapons attack.

this happened only civilians near the syrian capitol. secretary state will speak later this hour, we will bring that to you live. first, though, president obama says he hasn't made a decision on the timing or scope of any military action, that is according to a congressman. an unclassified version on last week's attack, that's expected later today. and french president says his country is welcome to back any u.s. action against syria. let's start with mike, live at the white house. that's a pretty big development there, we have come a long way. talk more about our allies. >> i was covering ten years ago, when two stood before cameras and changed the sign, from french fries to freedom fries. why, they were disgusted with france for not backing the allied ink vagues of iraq. now the roles have been reversed

and i will add another twist, one of those congressman a republican in north carolina no a signatory to a letter asking president obama to get prior authorization from congress before any perspective military action in iraq. i'm sorry, in syria. at this moment, you may be able to hear the motorcycles being fired up on west executive drives just next to me, that signifies to us the end of a national security council meeting. the most recent in a series held here at the white house. the security council of course consistents of the president, his to be cabinet secretaries his spell agencies and on down the line. they have been meeting for two hours. presumably on his way to fog by bottom to the state department where he has 1:30 press conference scheduled. making that case public that

they made in private last night to congressional leaders reading out some of the finding that has come up with that implicates the regime in that attack, that chemical attack a week ago. >> and that's an important distinction you made when you clarified when you said a statement as opposed to a conference, we are simply going to hear what he has to say and go from there. >> they are keeping it tight, as they did last monday. this weekend has been bookended by john kerry. a very forthright statement, we will see what he has to say today. again, i am being reminded we have a poll to talk about the uphill climb. we talked about the international aspect of this, and i how the closest ally the u.k. has now declined to get involved. the american public, 80% in an nbc poll, say the president should come to congress for approval before launching any perspective military action. only% favor a military action,

50% say the united states should not intervene. rachelle. >> . >> has heartened up his language again in the last few hours. from what he has said on friday to the french newspaper was that the international community cannot and must not leave unpunnished the chemical attack in damascus. and he went on to say that if the international community stands by and does nothing that that's actually send as very dangerous message in effect, and they are saying to any groups out there that it's okay to use chemical weapons. he theys that can lead to a very

dangerous escalation of the situation in syria. what he has said is that in his view, it would not be necessary to have a u.n. security council resolution before any such him tear action could take place. he said that the coalition of the willing, if you like, can be formed. as broad a coalition as possible, in order to base any action on resolutions from the arab league. he did make the observation that prance is one of the very few mayor powers that have those kind of resources available. he says france is ready and he will take the necessary decisions when he feels the time is right. >> jackie the paris, now the turkish foreign minister says there's no doubt that the syrian government is responsible for the chemical weapons attack. al jazeera anita reports from turkey. >> an informal conference from the capital anchor layed out

turkey's case, for while they believe this was indeed a chemical weapons attack, a war crime as he called it by the afghan regime. siting the own bell jens conversations it had with other countries about this, and their intelligence sources the circumstantial evidence of the videos they have seen, eyewitness reports doctors reports, the knowledge they have. of the oppositions possession of the kind of delivery system the kind of artillery that it doesn't have that would be necessary to launch an attack of this sort. turkey says while not wanting to pre-empt the u.n. investigator whose are looking into the chemical attacks on the drowned. turkey says it has not doubt that this was an open attack. and as such says the world has a responsibility to do something about it. he says failure would only

encouraging others that are thinking of using chemical weapons. >> there are nearly one pointed 8 million syrian refugees. many have fled to lebanon to escape the violence. al jazeera joins us life from beirut. david, you have been on the boarder this week, tell us what you have seen? >> we saw a lot of people coming across the border, a lot of syrians making their way into lebanon. they was coming in car caravans in some cases. it was alleged that there was quite a back up at the border point. we do want that clarify exactly who these people are. they aren't refugees in a traditional sense. they are not pouring into refugee camps or tent cities here on the lebanese side. for the most part, there are people that have friends oreltive whose are taking them in during a time of crisis ordaininger in syria. and they are fully expecting to go back in just short order. many cases the people we saw had men with them who were going

back literally the same day because they said they were going to go back in and fight for the asaad regime. they seem to be regime supporters and that's principally who you see. the people that are in refugee camps have come over the past year or so, because as the civil war has gone along, in syria, there has been a refugee camp situation that has developed here, but that is not due to the current crisis or the moment of these chemical attacks or anything of that nature. >> david, it seems you are describing so many families that are being broken up, men that are taking their family to the boarder and going right pack, so many families that are being broken up. >> they are being broken up, and they are worried, no question about it. these people do face a level of fear, and the women and children who stay behind, here in lebanon are afraid, certainly. for the family members the men that have gone back in to be part of what takes place over the next several days.

but they are also have committed to the regime, these are political people that come out here. we have heard them talking about how they want to fight against the united states, they want to fight against the united nations, or any coalition that attacks syria. they are certainly families that are torn apart by this little children many of them we saw, but at the same time, they are on the same page, i guess i would have to say. they are all committed to the same cause, and i will tell you, that's quite a site when you see them coming out of syria that way. they are ready to go to battle if need be, and that's been the statements that they have given to us. >> fantastic reporting from beirut, thank you so much. well, israel is also keeping a close eye on the developments in washington in syria, preparing for any repercussions. we have more from jerusalem. >> there is some growing hope among some that this country may escape these recent developments

untouched. there's belief among politicians and the security establishment that it is not in serious interest to attack israel. syria is attacked by western powers. never theless, this country here certainly preparing for the worst. largely by handing out gas masks by the thousands to its schism 310,000 gas masks were handed out yesterday alone. we went to one of those distribution centers. crowds were enormous. hundreds of people waiting in line all day, some had to return the next day for a chance to get a gas mask for them and their family. the country is already readying its troops in case a missle dud enter into israeli air space, but overall the feeling is simply of watching and waiting to see what happens in syria. >> in cairo, stay with al jazeera and al jazeera.com for continuing coverage of syria's war. question will have much more coming up.

the situation in syria is leading to uncertainty in gas prices in the u.s. gas buddy.com says the average price is $3.61 a gallon. right now i think we are likely to see a nominal increase, and that can be occurring regardless of anything that happens simply because of the increased amount of traffic that is anticipated over the next couple of days. aaa expects more than three million of us will be traveling. up 4% from last year, and the most since 2008. fire crews battling the massive rim fire are taking advantage of today's cooler temperatures to try to slow dun the flames. so far, the fire is 32%

contained. vegetation along key roads to prepare for controlled burning in advance of the labor day weekend. travelers are still expecting although in lower numbers. for the latest on what role the weather is playing let's check in with dave. >> they are trying to take advantage of the cooler weather to create these fire breaks. 32% contain sod they are getting a handle on it, so the view from space, shows that the park there is highlighted and the rim fire just moving into the northern section of the park. so that was just a few days ago. just a few hours ago you can see pictures like this, low as the fire continues to spread off to the north. now, they need the cooler temperatures because they are not getting the rain. radar and clouds showing there's no rain in there in northern california and it will stay that way. looks like this dre weather will continue. the future of rainfall shows that the southwest getting the rain, northwest maybe a few showers right where we need it not getting it. the temperatures have cooled off

a bit, there's cooler readings there along northern california so that is what allowing them to get a handle on this try to create these breaks to really contain the fire. but that's about all they are getting is the cooler temperatures. see if there's any more rain for labor day for the nation, i will have the national forecast coming up. >> we all want to know, thank you. still ahe is, a deadly attack against police in egypt is raising questions about who might be responsible, plus, escaping the violence of war. keeping track of children who have become refugees from syria and the activities they play that help them forget all the devastation.

welcomer back, recapping our top stories. cooler temperatures are helping firefighters. they have cleared vegetation along key roads to prepare for controlled burning. the fire is about 32% contained. president obama hasn't made any decision about the strike against syria. that is according to a congressman that listened in on the white house briefing last night. the president is trying to put together a coalition. russian president has been mostly silent about syria, but on thursday, question officials say they would send dog of their own warships to the eastern mediterranean. peter sharp explains why russia is so determined to defend its middle east ally. >> it was the hike of the scold war that the deal was struck, in 1980 signed a treaty of cooperation and french ship, with the then syrian president. it was a master stroke of sowf

jet strategy that immediately turns the soviet union into a major player. the soviets have been selling weapons to syria since the 1973 war, 40 years ago. ten what does russia get from the deal today? it has access to a name maintenance and supply base at the syrian port. russian's only military base outside the former soviet union. lucrative arm sales, 10% of all weapons exported by russia go to syria, net worth $1.5 billion a year. and lastly unparalleled access to syria's military and security. surprised in the u.n. security council that russia has consistently voted down resolutions calling for sanctions on syria. but one voice has remained silent, vladimir putin in a calculated display of indifference to the threat of u.s. intervention, was

6,000-kilometers from the kremlin on thursday, independenting flood defenses in the east. i don't think that pat pin has something to say just now. to come up and to say that this attack will be wrong and a mistake, and a crime, and don't do it, while i think everybody knows that it will happen anyway. it doesn't make any sense to putin, and i'm sure he will appear after the strike. and he will strongly condemn. >> as for the russian people a poll on wednesday revealed that 39% have never even heard of the war. >> at the moment, i can occupied with other things. i don't follow the news. >> they once invaded iraq, and it turned out there was no chemical weapons. they use this as an excuse to launch an attack. >> what's most important to the kremlin is not to be seen but

the people as bending to u.s. pressure, and maintaining its roll as the protector of syria. so that end, two russian warships were deployed to the eastern mediterranean on thursday as tensioned continue to rise. a remind tore u.s. nail forces gathering in the area, that this is not solely an american pawn. one man that has enough clout to encouraging him to go to the negotiating tables after any strikes on his country, remains fundamentally opposed to the military action that can bring about these new talks in the first place. al jazeera, in moscow. >> some syrian refugees see the potential for military action in a very different light. they hope it can mean the beginning of the end, allowing them to return home, meanwhile, aid agencies worry that strikes can drive numbers even higher. less than two weeks old, but

news there may be a military strike has raised hope among serious refugees that they could be home soon. arrived here a few days ago, she is looking out for her family in hopes she won't be here for long. >> we would like someone else to replace president asaad. if he is the same type of person then it's no good for us. look at our situation, we would rather go back to our country. >> her views are reflected around the camp. >> we hope an air strike will come soon, and we can go home. >> but others say any military action will only lead to more refugees. >> we have a plan in place. al jazeera is a massive influx of syrian refugees we will have to ask other agencies and other governments to help. >> who they will ask remain as question.

the u.n. refugee agency has a funding crisis. however, the regional government has promised more help but how much is declared. for now, many syrians are hopeful that military action can mean they return them songer rather than later. >> there is a lot of disappointment and misunderstanding here. disappointment that the west hasn't acted sooner but misunderstanding because the people here feel that any strike against syria will be decisive, but it will topple and they will be able to go home. that is unlikely, what is more likely is you will see more scenes like this, and more refugees. al jazeera. >> in egypt, one policeman was killed three injuries in an attacked by armed men at a check point. no word yet on motive behind the attack, or whether it was linked in any way to recent protests. that's according to the interior ming industry. meek while, promorsy supporters

remain defiant. al jazeera mike hannah has more for us from cairo. >> friday prayers completed, many prepared to take to the streets in proo test. >> in recent weeks dozens of leaders have been arrested but the anti-coupe alliance is a dominant part, has called on its followers to continue to press their demands. with the reinstatement of a domically elected government. blue while small protests get underway, these are the scenes in the facility of the number. >> deserted streets. whole neighborhoods quartered off by the police and military. the apparent pension here, to contain whatever protests there are within confined areas. and prevent the demonstrations from linking together. the action again security

personnel will be met with the upmost force. few are likely to be willing to attempt to breech these barriers. >> mike hannah, al jazeera, cairo. >> still ahead, president obama issues two new executive orders targeting guns. and we are waiting for john kerry, expected to make a statement on the u.s.' position in syria, we will bring it to you live. right after the wreak. wreak. break.

>> is white house quietly announced two new executive orders. first will make it harder for people to avoided background checks. allowed even someone with a criminal record to get a gun if the weapon is registers to a corporation. the second order will prevent gun owners from importing u.s. made military weapons from other countries for their private use. today a san diego mayor last day on the job. he resigned after nearly 20 women accused him of sexual harassment. he also admitted he mistreated women who worked for him. the former democratic congressman was elected last year, but was in office less than nine months.

well, the radar is pretty quiet here before the long weekend, but that will be changing. and it isn't just the rain we are worried about, it is the heat in the midwest. right now the cloud, and the radar showing pretty quiet conditions all the way across the country. just a few showers here and there. may be a few cluster of thunderstorms. could be severe, showers could be developing across the southeast, and in between, it's not raining but it is hot. the excessive heat watches and excessive heat warnings remain in effect. and really the area shrinking a little bit and going south, because cooler air is moving in, that's the relief of the heat, finally. looks like the end of the weekend there will be cooler weather coming in. quiet here, where it is really heating up, but north dakota, minnesota, could be seeing more severe weather today, had a

round of that yesterday, showers and storms and a risk for severe weather there. look out for the possibility of strong storms especially from bismark to fargo, and minneapolis. 100 in kansas city, 102 in tulsa. with the humidity it will feel like it's about 105 to 110 for the heat index. so the heat continues but look at how it is getting cooler and moving south. so again, the northern plains relief from the heat is here. the heat will be returning to the northeast, not all that hot, not like triple different temperatures but mid 80's with high humidity. right now it is on the ware there. new york is almost up to 80. above 80 in washington, d.c. pittsburgh, and cleveland, as far as the rain goes maybe a shower will pop up. there's the showers moving through the great likes about to move into western new york, out ahead of tut clouds will clear out, maybe see a few showers popping up. now, they are in the forecast today, north of new york city, they are here tomorrow at 86 degrees with a thunderstorm.

a break on sunday, and labor day, with a shower or thunderstorm. even through thursday of next week. net all that severe and not all that heavy rain. from texas to florida. talking about the tropics now, not much happening in the caribbean or gulf of mexico. they will come into an area which is unfavorable for continued development. but it looks like over the next few days the tropics are quiet. the tropics are all quiet and things are pretty calm here from the gulf of mexico to the caribbean, just watching what is happening off the coast of africa, because that may try to develop here over the next 48 hours. >> recapping our top story.

the white house is still trying to rally a support on syria. but makes it very clear it is willing to go it alone. we are waiting to hear a statement from secretary of state john kerry who is expected -- and also the broader situation that is going to happen at the state department at any moment. he actually started off the week on monday, with very harsh words for syria, now wrapping up the week with another statement on syria. covering a statement, will be paul -- bring inning paul now. paul, there's a lot riding on what the secretary of state is going to say, might this be the moment that we hear some more of the evidence that the white house has said that they have? >> i think that's possible, we are expecting to hear more about

the intelligence reporting. not clear exactly what we are hearing. but what we do know is he will continue to try to build support, for what the response is going to be, whether there will be a response at this time sees inevitable. but the secretary will certainly build on that tough talk earlier this the week when he saw what we saw in syria shocked the conscious of the world, calling eight moral obscenity that defies any code of morality. >> and certainly it was quite a blow, to the u.s. yesterday that one of our staunchest allies great britain will not be going along with us on this. i would at some point the secretary of state will address that as well. >> perhaps he will. secretary of defense hagel addressed that privately yesterday. he was asked some questions there about the coalition, mentioned that partners need to make decisions on their own. that countries will certainly have the right to do so. but indicated that the u.s. will continue to consult with

britain.