|
http://www.nowlebanon.com White House calls for immediate end to Syria violence The White House significantly toughened its stance on Syria on Friday, calling for an "immediate end to brutality and violence" and warning Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was leading his nation on a "dangerous path." White House spokesperson Jay Carney issued a statement after Syrian forces killed at least 25 people in nationwide democracy protests on Friday and as security forces launched a long-feared crackdown on the northwestern flashpoint town of Jisr al-Shughur. "The United States strongly condemns the Syrian government’s outrageous use of violence across Syria today and particularly in the northwestern region," Carney said. "There must be an immediate end to the brutality and violence." The statement contained a clear sign of Washington's growing impatience over Syria after top officials had repeatedly called for Assad to embrace reform or get out of the way, but stopped short of demanding his departure. "We stand by the Syrian people who have shown their courage in demanding dignity and the transition to democracy that they deserve,” Carney said. He also cited the "appalling violence" of shootings, assaults and arrests of demonstrators at the hands of Syrian security forces in explaining why the United States has thrown its weight behind a UN Security Council resolution proposed by Britain and France that condemns Syria for its crackdown. Syria has mounted a fierce response to weeks of protests modeled on the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia that ousted long-ruling dictators and inspired region-wide revolt. -AFP/NOW Lebanon
|
