Washington: The US yesterday renewed its call for Syrian President Bashar Al Assad to step down, marking the fourth anniversary of the civil war by paying tribute to “the brave Syrians” fighting tyranny.
“For four years the Assad regime has answered Syrians’ calls for freedom and reform with unrelenting brutality, authoritarianism and destruction,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
“As we have long said, Assad must go and be replaced through a negotiated, political transition that is representative of the Syrian people.”
Without the departure of Assad, it would not be possible “to fully stabilise” the country, Psaki said. “On this sombre occasion, we are reminded of all those who suffered and of the brave Syrians who stand up to tyranny and continue to struggle for a future of respect for basic rights, tolerance and prosperity.” The US led efforts to convene peace talks in Geneva last year but talks collapsed after two rounds and no fresh negotiations have been scheduled.
The State Department will today host a meeting of the Syrian diaspora and opposition leaders, including former prime minister of the interim government Ghassan Hitto.
The US special envoy to Syria, Daniel Rubinstein, said in a post on the US embassy’s Facebook page: “Assad’s desperation to cling to power through daily terror reminds us all that he has long lost legitimacy and he must give way for a real political transition. Let us recognise that the courageous Syrian people — and neither a dictator nor foreign fighters — must determine their future.” AFP
