In Washington, the Obama administration increased its denunciation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying it is time for him to step down. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Assad can go because the United States does not view him as “indispensable.”

Jay Carney: “Once again, President Assad has shown that he is completely incapable and unwilling to respond to the legitimate grievances of the Syrian people. His use of torture, corruption and terror puts him on the wrong side of history and his people. As we have stated, President Assad is not indispensable, and the U.S. has nothing invested in Assad remaining in power. We do not want to see him remain in Syria for stability’s sake, and rather, we view him as the cause of instability in Syria.”