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White House Warns of More Steps on Syria, Calls Assad Regime to Resign |
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Thursday, 22 December 2011The White House Wednesday called again for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and his regime to step down, citing Damascus' defiance of the Arab League peace initiative, dpa reported.
In a statement, the press secretary also warned that the international community would take "additional steps" to put pressure on the Assad regime if the Arab League peace initiative is not fully implemented.
"The words of the Assad regime have no credibility when they continue to be followed by outrageous and deplorable actions," the White House press secretary said in a statement.
Only two days after the Assad regime signed the Arab League Initiative, a Syrian military operation killed more than 250 people in a stronghold of army deserters, activists and the opposition said.
"They have already flagrantly violated their commitment to end violence and withdraw security forces from residential areas," the White House said. "The United States is deeply disturbed by credible reports that the Assad regime continues to indiscriminately kill scores of civilians and army defectors, while destroying homes and shops and arresting protesters without due process."
The White House conceded that Syrian security forces have also taken casualties, but said most of the violence has come from the Assad regime.
"Time and again, the Assad regime has demonstrated that it does not deserve to rule Syria," the White House said.
Russia and China continue to block a strong sanctions resolution in the United Nations Security Council. But on Monday, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn Syria's harsh crackdown of civilian protesters.
The UN says more than 5,000 people have been killed in eight months of violence pitting Syrian security forces against civilians. |
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Trend AZ
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