The British parliament has voted against military intervention in Syria by just 13 votes, a stunning defeat for Prime Minister David Cameron.

In an emergency vote held late Thursday afternoon, the House of Commons voted 285 to 272 against the motion to strike Syria. According to the BBC, Cameron accepted the decision and stated that he “will act accordingly.”

Earlier Thursday, the UK leader argued strongly for military intervention in Syria after his office released intelligence reports concluding that it was “highly likely” that the Assad regime was behind the recent chemical attack near Damascus.

“I think we can be as certain as possible that when we have a regime that has used chemical weapons … if nothing is done, it will conclude that it can use these weapons again and again, and on a larger scale, and with impunity,” he said via AP.

This story is developing. Check back for further updates.

(AP)