West’s leaders demand regime change in Syria
By Alex Stevenson Follow @alex__stevenson
Britain, France and Germany are following America's lead in demanding that Syria's president should step down.
The key move against Bashar al-Assad comes a day after Damascus claimed the crackdown against pro-democracy protesters had finally come to a halt.
As many as 2,000 Syrians have been killed in the past five months, according to the UN.
Until now Barack Obama's administration had criticised the brutal repression but stopped short of calling for regime change.
But in a dramatic move the White House issued a statement calling for Mr Assad to go. The US move was quickly followed by a joint statement from the three European leaders.
"France, Germany and the United Kingdom reiterate their utter condemnation of this bloody repression of peaceful and courageous demonstrators and the massive violations of human rights which President Assad and his authorities have been committing for months," the statement said.
"We are actively supporting further strong EU sanctions against the regime of President Assad.
"Our three countries believe that President Assad, who is resorting to brutal military force against his own people and who is responsible for the situation, has lost all legitimacy and can no longer claim to lead the country.
"We call on him to face the reality of the complete rejection of his regime by the Syrian people and to step aside in the best interests of Syria and the unity of its people."
Western countries will hope its move will encourage other key players in the region, including Turkey, to issue its own similar calls.
The White House statement read: "The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but president Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way," it read.
"We've consistently said that President Assad must lead a democratic transition in Syria or get out of the way. He has not led for the sake of the Syrian people. The time has come for President Assad to step aside."
Alongside the statement the White House confirmed that Mr Obama had signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Syria.
All assets of the Syrian government subject to US jurisdiction are being frozen. Americans are also prohibited from engaging in any transaction involving the Syrian government.
"No outside power can or should impose on this transition. It is up to the Syrian people to choose their own leaders," US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said.
"We understand the strong desire of the Syrian people that no foreign country should intervene in their struggle and we respect their wishes. At the same time, we will do our part to support their aspirations for a Syria that is democratic, just and inclusive."
Syrian forces attacked the port city of Latakia last week, leaving dozens of people reportedly killed.
Yesterday Mr Assad claimed his crackdown against protesters had been halted in a phone call with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, despite contradictory reports that the Syrian military was continuing its activities in Latakia.
"We have had credible allegations of children being killed or wounded in security operations against civilians in Syria," UN special envoy Radhika Coomaraswamy said yesterday.
"There are also allegations that children have been tortured by the security forces. State parties have a duty to protect children in any police or military operations and I call on the Syrian authorities to fulfil their obligations."
The UN security council will meet later today to discuss the ongoing threat. An extra session of the UN human rights council is also being considered.
