Hague: Assad is quickly losing legitimacy

Speaking today, Britain\'s Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed how appalled he is by the Syrian crackdown. “I am appalled by the ongoing repression of civilians by the Syrian Government.  The regime’s violence continues despite widespread condemnation by the international community.  The calls for the violence to stop, including from Syria’s neighbours,  have not been heeded. “The Syrian regime has besieged towns and cities across the country, using anti-aircraft guns against civilians, a disproportionate and unacceptable response to peaceful demonstrations.  President Assad has so far failed to call back his troops. As long as the killing and detentions continue, his proposed reform package is irrelevant: there is nothing to discuss.  The Syrian people are calling for peaceful change; the international community is calling for an immediate end to the violence.  Now is the time for President Assad to act in response to these calls.  He is fast losing the last shreds of his legitimacy. He must stop the violence immediately.” Syria came under sharp Arab and international condemnation on Tuesday after activists said gunboats pounded Latakia port, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee a refugee camp, as rights groups said that civilian death toll there has mounted to 34. As activists reported new deaths at the camp, the Palestinians condemned Syria over the violence and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that more than 5,000 refugees had fled the Ramel camp in southern Latakia under fire, according to AFP.