Video: David Cameron: Britain cannot 'stand idly by' while chemical attacks continue in Syria Speaking from Downing Street the Prime Minister said any action taken by Britain would centre around protecting civilians from the use of chemical weapons. He stressed that action would not involve getting into a prolonged war in the Middle East. No decision has yet been taken ... but let's be clear, what we've seen in Syria are apalling scenes of death and suffering because of the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. And I dont believe we can let that stand Now let me stress to people this is not about getting involved in a Middle Eastern war ... its nothing to do with that. It's about chemical weapons their use is wrong ," Mr Cameron said. Parliament has been recalled to vote on the Syria crisis later in the week.