Clinton blames Assad for latest Syria violence

Istanbul: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Syria’s recent violence is “simply unconscionable” and is blaming President Bashar Assad for “doubling down” on his harsh crackdown. Referring to reports of a new massacre in central Hama province, she says Syria cannot be a peaceful, stable and democratic country until Assad leaves power. Speaking in Turkey, Clinton says she and more than a dozen top foreign officials she has met have agreed on a set of principles for a new Syria. [caption id=“attachment_335794” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Reuters”] [/caption] They include the need for Assad to leave power and depart Syria — explicitly calling for Assad’s exile. Syrian opposition groups say scores died in new violence on the outskirts of Hama. One organisation claims pro-government militiamen killed at least 78. Syria rejects the claims as “absolutely baseless.” AP