US Sharpens Criticism of Syria’s Assad
A senior U.S. State Department official said Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s actions against protesters are “completely inconsistent with those of a responsible leader.” U.S. diplomats are talking to European allies about new sanctions targeting the Syrian ruling circle.
Officials here stop short of saying that Assad has lost his legitimacy to rule. They are ratcheting up their criticism of the Syrian leader, however, amid reports that the death toll in 40 days of protests against the Damascus government may now exceed 400.