Washington, June 9 (PTI) Sending a tough message to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the White House has said that the Arab leader has two choices ? either to be part of the transition or get out of the way.
"President Assad now has a choice. He can lead the transition or he can get out of the way," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.
Strongly condemning the Syrian government's murder and mass arrests of its own people, he said the US has imposed additional sanctions on the regime, including on President Assad and his inner circle.
"We stand by the Syrian people, who have shown tremendous courage in demanding dignity and a transition to democracy," he said.
Meanwhile, the State Department has said that the United States supports a UN Security Council resolution regarding the ongoing situation in Syria.