Syria crisis: Obama speaks to nation on chemical weapons

US President Barack Obama has held a televised address to the nation to explain US policy on Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons.

He said the Syrian government was clearly responsible for the use of chemical weapons that killed more than 1,000 people last month.

The president said he had a preference for "peaceful solutions" and the US would work with Russia on its proposal to persuade Syria to destroy its chemical weapons stockpile.