(Newser) – President Obama has agreed to UN Security Council discussions on the Russian proposal that Syria hand over its chemical weapons, a White House official tells the AP. Obama talked about the idea, first accidentally floated by John Kerry, with David Cameron and Francois Hollande today, the official said. France will put a resolution before the Security Council that would force Syria to reveal and dismantle its chemical weapons program. Syria has reportedly already agreed to the idea.

A bipartisan group of eight senators today endorsed the idea, the New York Times reports. They're drafting a resolution, in consultation with the White House, that would set a deadline for the UN process, and authorize military force if that deadline is not met. The group includes noted Syria hawk John McCain, who told CBS today that he was "extremely skeptical" of the plan, but added that "to not pursue this option would be a mistake." John Kerry, meanwhile, said this was the "ideal" way to end the showdown, but warned Congress that, "We're not waiting long," Politico reports. (Read more Syria stories.)

