ATLANTA >> Former President Jimmy Carter says he believes the best path forward in Syria is for the United States to work out a deal with Russia for Syria to give up its chemical weapons.

Carter said today during an event at The Carter Center that it would not be a catastrophe if Congress votes against President Barack Obama’s call for military action against Syria. He noted presidents have often put forward important issues later rejected by Congress.  

Carter says he believes placing U.N. officials in Syria to oversee removal of chemical weapons would result in a ceasefire in large parts of the country. Carter also says it’s likely the United States will have to back down from requiring military action if Syria does not live up to a weapons disarmament plan.