Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday (7/11) said that Syrian President Bashar Assad had "lost legitimacy" as a leader who tried to realize the reforms, as the United States formally protested the attacks on the U.S. Embassy and the residence of American Ambassador in Damascus.
Clinton's comments that demanded Assad immediately left his power, by a senior U.S. official said that it showed Washington's anger was not only the attack on the embassy, but the Assad government's crackdown against political opponents.
"From our perspective, he has lost legitimacy," Clinton told reporters during a joint press conference with chief foreign policy of the European Union, Catherine Ashton. "He has failed to deliver the promises that have been made, he has sought and received assistance from Iran as a way to suppress his own people."
Clinton said there is a list of crimes that Assad's government must be responsible.
She also condemned the attacks on the U.S. embassy and the French while demanding Syria to uphold their treaty obligations to protect foreign diplomatic missions. On Monday, the mass that loyal to Assad stormed the American embassy compound in Damascus and protested outside the French embassy.
Clinton warned Assad and his supporters that there was no single truth of some U.S. officials wanted to see the current regime remains in power in order to maintain stability. "President Assad is not required, and we don't want him to remain in power," said Clinton.
The comments were the harshest criticism of Washington to Assad since his security forces cracked down on anti-government protesters in March.
France was also increasing criticism against Damascus and asked the Security Council to act. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon told Europe-1 radio that the silence of the UN Security Council on Lebanon couldn't be maintained. Fillon also said the day more difficult for Assad to stay in power.
On Monday, a mob loyal to Assad stormed the American embassy compound in Damascus and protested in front of French embassy. The incident came after U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford and the French Ambassador Eric Chevallier been to Hama city last week to show the solidarity with residents who were facing a crackdown against the rebels.
Meanwhile, reaction from Syria was strongly criticized Hillary Clinton, after she told President Bashar al-Assad had "lost legitimacy."
Tuesday, the state news agency SANA said the government "strongly condemns" Clinton's comments. It quoted officials stating that Hillary's comments were a "further evidence" of a flagrant interference of the USA in domestic affairs of Syria.
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