Canada followed the United States in calling Thursday for President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to step down, as the U.S. imposed punishing new sanctions on the regime.
"The people of Syria deserve a government that respects their dignity, protects their rights and lives up to their aspirations," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. "Assad is standing in their way."
"For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for him to step aside."
U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement formally calling on Assad to resign, as he signed a series of executive orders bringing in to force new sanctions.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper echoed this message in a written statement Thursday. Canada tightened its own sanctions against the regime Saturday.
"I join with President Obama and other members of the international community in calling on President Assad to vacate his position, relinquish power and step down immediately," Harper said. "The Syrian people have a right to decide for themselves the next steps for Syria's future."
"Canada has taken decisive action imposing sanctions that directly target members of the current Syrian regime and those who provide it with support."
In recent weeks, Syrians have erupted in pro-democracy protests against the Assad regime, which has used deadly force in its attempts to quell the unrest. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown.
Under the U.S. sanctions, all Syrian assets in American jurisdictions have been frozen. The sanctions also banned U.S. investment, and prohibited U.S. companies and individuals from trading in Syrian oil.
Clinton said the U.S. will use its diplomatic weight at the United Nations to increase the pressure on Assad to step down.
The UN Security Council was to meet Thursday to discuss the ongoing revolt in Syria, having made a statement condemning Assad last week.
Clinton said the UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session to examine recent violent actions by the regime against the Syrian people.
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News
No comments:
Post a Comment