Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline will not back President Obama's request for military strikes in Syria.

Kline, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement today that Obama has not made a strong case for intervention in Syria. Last week, Kline said he tentatively favored an attack that would weaken Syrian's chemical weapons capabilities.

"For more than two weeks, the President has failed to convey to the American people a clear objective for military intervention in Syria," Kline said. "He continues to offer no persuasive rationale, which is why I cannot support the President's request at this time for U.S. military strikes in Syria."

Among Minnesota's House delegation, only Democratic U.S. Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum have indicated support for military action in response to Syria's alleged chemical weapons attacks against civilians.