Merkel, German Election Challenger: Won't participate in Syria strike

Chancellor Angela Merkel and her challenger in Germany's upcoming election both said they wouldn't participate in military action against Syria. Merkel said that "Germany will not participate" in a military strike as she faced center-left rival Peer Steinbrueck during a televised debate Sunday before the Sept 22 vote, AP reported. Merkel says that there needs to be "a collective answer by the UN" to the use of chemical weapons in Syria. She says she is "very glad that we have a few days" to revive efforts to secure UN action — a reference to President Barack Obama's decision to seek authorization from Congress for military action. Steinbrueck said he wouldn't participate in military action as chancellor and would "greatly regret it" if the US strikes alone without an international mandate.