Last Updated: Thursday, 23 May 2013, 12:58 GMT

Clinton says Syria must end violence to avoid 'catastrophic assault'

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 8 July 2012
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Clinton says Syria must end violence to avoid 'catastrophic assault', 8 July 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5000252f28.html [accessed 24 May 2013]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

July 08, 2012

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Syrian government has a better chance to avoid what she called a "catastrophic assault" the sooner the violence ends and the political transition begins.

Clinton said the regime of Bashar al-Assad must acknowledge that its days are numbered, and that there was no doubt Syria's opposition forces were growing more effective.

She said last month was the deadliest for the Syrian people in the 16-month revolt against Assad.

Clinton was speaking in Tokyo on the sidelines of an international donors conference for Afghanistan.

Special UN envoy Kofi Annan, meanwhile, acknowledged in an interview published on July 7 that the international community's efforts to find a political solution to the escalating violence in Syria have failed.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

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