the leadership of these states immediately to reconsider and to return to the legalational leaguer -- fold. it is necessary to urgently seek in equitable cooperation with all partners to resolve the problems which arise through dialogue. we steadfastly have focused on a peaceful settlement to the conflict on syria and we shall continue our proactive efforts to this end. we call upon all to follow suit. all of our partners to follow suit. thank you. >> that security council meeting from today after a chemical attack in syria over the weekend. president trump made an announcement at the white house a short time ago. he said that airstrikes are underway in syria and we expect to hear from the pentagon and about 30 minutes at 10 p.m. eastern time. first, here are the president's remarks and that we will be

taking your phone calls. pres. trump: short time ago, i ordered the armed forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capability of syrian dictator bashar al-assad. a combined operation with the armed forces of france and the united kingdom is now underway. we thank them both. tonight, i want to speak with you about why we have taken this action. assad launched a savage chemical weapons attack against his own innocent people. the united states responded with 58 missile strikes that destroyed 20% of the syrian air force.

last saturday, the assad regime again deployed chemical weapons to slaughter innocent civilians. this time in the town of dumas. this massacre was a significant escalation and a pattern of chemical weapons used by that very terrible regime. attackl and despicable left mothers and fathers, infants and children threshing in pain and gasping for air. these are not the actions of a man, they are crimes of a monster instead. following the horrors of world war i a century ago, civilized nations joined together to ban chemical warfare. chemical weapons are uniquely dangerous, not only because they

inflict gruesome suffering, but because even small amounts can unleash widespread devastation. the purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread, and use of chemical weapons. is alishing this deterrent vital national security interest of the united states. they combined american, british, and french response to these atrocities will integrate all instruments of our national power, military, economic, and the -- diplomatic. we have prepared to sustain this response until the syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents. i also have a message tonight for the two governments most responsible for supporting,

equipping, and financing the criminal assault regime. askran and to russia, i what kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women, and children? the nations of the world can be judged by the friends they keep. no nation can succeed in the long run by promoting rogue states, brutal tyrants, and murderous dictators. in 2013, president putin and his government promised the world that they would guarantee the elimination of serious chemical weapons. andd's recent attack today's response are the direct result of russia's failure to keep that promise. russia must decide if it will

continue down this dark path or as a force for stability and peace. hopefully someday we will get along with russia and maybe even he ran. but maybe not. i will say this. the united states has a lot to offer. with the greatest and most powerful economy in the history of the world. ,n syria, the united states with but a small force being used to eliminate what is left of isis is doing what is necessary to protect the american people. over the last year, nearly 100% of the territory, once controlled by the so-called isis caliphate in syria and direct has been liberated and eliminated. the united states has also

prebuilt our friendships across the middle east. we have asked our partners to take greater responsibility for securing their home region including contributing large amounts of money for the resources, equipment, and all of the anti-isis effort. increased engagement from our friends, including saudi arabia, the united arab emirates, qatar, egypt, and others can ensure that iran does not profit from the eradication of isis. not seek an indefinite presence in syria. as other nations step of their we look forward to today we can bring our warriors home. great warriors they are.

looking around our troubled world, americans have no illusions. we cannot purge the world of evil or act everywhere there is tyranny. no amount of american lot or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the middle east. it is a troubled place. we will try to make it better, but it is a troubled place. the united states will be a partner and a friend, but the fate of the region lies in the hands of its own people. in the last century, we looked straight into the darkest places of the human soul. we saw the english that can be unleashed and the evil that can take hold. by the end of world war i, more than one million people have been killed or injured by chemical weapons. we never want to see that

ghastly specter return. the nations of britain, france, and the united states of america have marshaled their fridges power against barbarism and brutality. tonight i ask all americans to say a prayer for a noble warriors and our allies as they carry out missions. we pray that god will bring comfort to those suffering in syria. we pray that god will guide the whole region toward a future of dignity and of peace and we pray that god will continue to watch over and less the united states of america. thank you and good night. thank you. the president speaking earlier tonight and you and security meeting after a chemical attack.

we going to take your calls. you can let us know what you think about the situation and about the president actions. democrats, and all others, call the number on the screen. andcan join us on facebook the a twitter at @cspan. the newdonnell saying national security adviser was in the room following along on a copy of the text. we'll get right to your phone calls. dimitri calling from glen allen, virginia. go ahead. >> good afternoon. now mytting here right wife that hotel. we just happen to watch this little segment with donald trump. -- i want to know is whose is