U.N. Security Council members continue to wrangle over a measure to condemn the ongoing Syrian government crackdown on opposition protesters. On Tuesday, Russia said it wants to ensure any proposed measure does not authorize military intervention. The United States, meanwhile, said the Russian draft falls short of properly taking the Syrian regime to task. Speaking at the White House after a meeting with Jordan King Abdullah, President Obama renewed his call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

President Obama: “Unfortunately, we’re continuing to see unacceptable levels of violence inside that country, and so we will continue to consult very closely with Jordan to create the kind of international pressure and environment that encourages the current Syrian regime to step aside so that a more democratic process of transition can take place inside of Syria.”