US Stocks Slip Amid Possible Intervention in Syria

France and U.S. still have plans in place for intervention

(Reuters)—U.S. stocks slipped on Friday, with the S&P500 index likely to end August with its worst monthly showing in over a year as the threat of an imminent Western military strike on Syria faded slightly.

U.S.-led efforts to punish Damascus for the use of chemical weapons against civilians were dealt a blow when Britain said it would not join any military action after the government lost a parliamentary vote on the issue.

However, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said even after the rejection of military action by Britain, the U.S. will continue to seek an international coalition to act on Syria and France said it still backed action.