US: Assad losing control, his fall inevitable, White House says

Jan 20, 2012, 20:06 GMT

Washington - The White House Friday said that President Bashar al-Assad was losing control and his fall was 'inevitable,' rejecting the suggestion that the international community should launch another Libya-style intervention.

'It is clear that his regime is no longer ... in full control of the country and that it is only taking Syria toward a dangerous end,' White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

The Syrian opposition on Friday urged the Arab League to refer Syria to the United Nations Security Council after a mission by the pan-Arab body submitted a report on the deadly violence. But Assad's friends on the Security Council - Russia and China - have already blocked months of efforts for a resolution.

Other calls have come for stronger, direct intervention in the situation in Syria.

Carney dismissed the suggestion that the international community has failed to get involved.

'The international community is not standing by,' he said. 'The international community has, with American leadership, taken action to pressure and isolate Syria, and that is having an obvious effect as the Assad regime loses control of the country.'

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