Syrian Reforms Needed – White House
By KUNA
Reforms need to be implemented in Syria, the White House reiterated on Friday.
“That is what the President (Barack Obama) has said about this,” Deputy press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One en route to Toledo, Ohio, where Obama was scheduled to speak about the US economy.
Reminded that the situation in Syria seems to be worsening with military crackdowns, Earnest said Obama has spoken about the issue at length, and that the President and other senior administration officials have condemned violence in Syria.
“It is also our belief that reforms need to be implemented to end that violence and bring some stability to that situation,” he added.
On Libya, Earnest was asked about a possible vote in the US House that would try to end the US role in the NATO-led operation there.
“It is the view of this administration that we have acted in accordance with the War Powers Act because of this regular consultation (with Congress),” Earnest said. “Three separate briefings have been held just this week for members of Congress.We are committed to that moving forward. But in terms of the resolutions that you asked about … that continued consultation demonstrates why these resolutions are unnecessary and unhelpful”.
The mission in Libya will continue to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which aims to protect Libyan civilians and enforce an arms embargo, “and that is something that we are working obviously with our NATO partners to conduct,” he said.
On Yemen, Earnest said Obama was briefed this morning on the latest developments there.
US officials condemn the violence on both sides, hope there will be a negotiated settlement, and believe that President Ali Abdullah Saleh should sign the GCC-brokered agreement transferring power, Earnest said.
