Syrians troubled over U.S. strike fallout

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~*NONE**~

Damascus, Syria.

While daily life appears to continues apace in government-held areas, an air of anticipation is hanging over this war-torn city.

People here are bracing for a possible air strike by the United States - an intervention most here are dead set against.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DAMASCUS RESIDENT, NIUHA, SAYING:

"The conditions that we are living in are tough enough. We do not need America to come and hit us."

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DAMASCUS RESIDENT, SAKER DOUBA, SAYING:

"I call the world from the West to the far East to view this act as an aggression."

U.S. President Barack Obama has called for limited strikes on Syria - punishment, he says, for the use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad against civilians.

The American congress is due to debate Obama's proposal next week.

Meanwhile, some Syrian refugees fleeing into neighbouring Turkey have mixed feelings about a U.S.-led