Syria Pressure Mounts as World Leaders Call for Assad to go
Syria is facing more calls today from leaders of Western nations for President Assad to step down.
The calls mark another increase in pressure on Syria since the Government started a brutal crackdown on it’s own people. They had been protesting in the streets following the Arab risings in other countries.
President Obama has called for Assad to step aside saying in a statement that “The future of Syria must be determined by it’s people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way. His calls for dialogue and reform have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering his own people.”
This is the first time that Obama has specifically called for Assad to step down.
He added that the US would be tightening it’s sanctions against Syria’s Government specifically targeting it’s finances. US citizens are now banned from dealing with operating, investing or dealing with Syria.
Members of the EU also issued statements at the same time with Catherine Ashton, the head of EU foreign policy, saying “The EU notes the complete loss of Bashar al-Assad’s legitimacy in the eyes of the Syrian people and the necessity for him to step aside.”
A joint statement from Germany, UK and France said that Assad should “Leave power in the greater interest of Syria and the unity of his people.”
It all comes after a UN investigation into the recent events in Syria concluded that the use of violence may amount to crimes against humanity. It recommended that the UN Security Council should consider referring Syria to the International Criminal Court.
Syria’s security forces have used tanks, helicopters, snipers and other artillery against protesters since the uprisings began. Human rights groups estimate over 2,000 people have been killed although these estimates are often under estimated.
Syria Controlled By Assad Family
The Assad family have now been running Syria for 40 years with Bashar al-Assad taking control 11 years ago. The family are part of the minority Alawite sect whereas most of the Syrian population are Sunni.
Assad still has the support of some sections of society such as minority sects and business leaders (he has done much to open up the economy over the last decade), but the overall majority want change.
Photo: watchsmart
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