Syria will be better off without Assad: US

Reiterating that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has lost his legitimacy to rule, the White House has said that Syria will be better off without him. We believe that a transition needs to take place in Syria and that Syria will be better off withoutPresident Assad. And we support those who are seeking a peaceful transition in Syria, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.Carney said that President Assads opportunity to lead the transition has passed. We support those in Syria who are seeking a peaceful transition to a more democratic and brighter future in Syria, he said.The State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the focus is on increasing the chorus of condemnation internationally against Bashar al-Assad and taking firm action to increase the pressure.Thats why we issued more sanctions yesterday. Our focus is on working with our European partners, our other partners around the world, including in his neighbourhood, and particularly encouraging those who are still trading with Syria,particularly in the oil and gas sector -- Russia is still sending arms to Syria -- to stop so that the pinch will be felt and none of the revenue from this can go to fueling this violence, she said. While it is for the Syrian people to take a decision ontheir leader, Nuland said Americas focus is on doing what it can to increase the international pressure on him, to support those who want a democratic future for Syria.