Clinton suggests Assad legitimacy nearly run out

June 2, 2011

Clinton suggests Assad legitimacy " nearly run out "

WASHINGTON | Thu Jun 2, 2011 12:15pm EDT

(Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's legitimacy is all but gone and

the world needs more unity on how to deal with his crackdown against

anti-government protests, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday.

Syrian forces killed at least 13 civilians in the central town of Rastan on

Thursday, activists said, in the latest military assault to try to crush a

revolt against Assad's 11-year rule.

While noting the United States and its European allies have imposed sanctions on

Syria since the uprising three months ago, Clinton hinted at the reluctance of

other U.N. Security Council members, notably China and Russia, to take action.

" Right now, the attitude of the international community is not as united as we

are seeking to make it. We do not yet have the agreement by some of the other

members of the Security Council, " Clinton said in an allusion to China and

Russia.

Russia and China have so far objected to a European-proposed draft Security

Council resolution that would condemn Syria for its crackdown. China warned on

Tuesday that such a resolution could harm stability in Syria.

" Those who we are seeking to bring to our view of the situation I think will

have to make their own judgment, but we think they will be better off on the

right side of history, " she added.

" The international community has to continue to make its strongest possible case

and call for specific actions like -- not just an announcement of an amnesty --

but a release of political prisoners, the end to unjust detentions, allow human

rights monitors into the country, " she said.

Clinton suggested U.S. patience with Assad is exhausted but stopped short of

explicitly calling for him to step down.

" The legitimacy that is necessary for anyone to expect change to occur under

this current government is, if not gone, nearly run out, " Clinton told reporters

at a news conference.

" If he's not going to lead the reform, he needs to get out of the way, " she

said. " Where he goes, that's up to him. "

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