WASHINGTON » The U.S. says it will take action against the Syrian government for alleged use of chemical weapons even without the backing of allies or the United Nations.

Britain added a hurdle to deliberations about a military strike today when it went to the U.N. Security Council with a draft resolution that would authorize the use of military force against Syria. As expected, the five permanent members of the security council failed to reach an agreement as Russia reiterated its objections to international intervention in Syria.

State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf says the U.S. cannot be held up in responding by Russia’s intransigence at the United Nations.

Russia says the use of force without a sanction of the U.N. Security Council is a "crude violation" of international law.