Poll shows majority of Americans oppose military strike against Syria

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The majority of Americans still oppose launching military strikes against Syria while the Obama administration is trying hard to secure lawmakers' support, according to an ABC News-Washington Post poll released Tuesday.

The latest poll found that 59 percent of Americans are against a missile strike in Syria in light of the U.S. government's determination that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons against its own people. Only 36 percent of Americans support the kind of military action for what the Obama administration is now seeking Congressional authorization.

The opposition against such military actions in Syria has been observed across the board. A total of 54 percent of Democrats, 55 percent of Republicans and 66 percent of political independents say "No" to U.S. government launching missile strikes against Syrian government, showing deep opposition among every political group.

Americans would express more support for the military actions if Britain and France were to participate, with the support for missile strikes in Syria rising by 10 percentage points to 46 percent. But the prospect has become less likely after the British parliament voted down a proposal for military intervention in Syria last week.

The U.S. public showed even less support for the U.S. and its allies supplying weapons to the opposition groups in Syria, with 70 percent opposing such an action and only 27 percent supporting.

The poll was conducted by telephone Aug. 28 through Sept. 1, among 1,012 adults.

The White House is currently trying to win over lawmakers to support military strikes against Syria this week. President Barack Obama on Tuesday morning met with Congressional leaders and Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel appeared at a Senate hearing to make the case for military actions.

Bipartisan leaders on the Capitol Hill, including House Speaker John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, all pledged their support for a proposed military strike.

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