News In Depth
- 19 July 2012, 10:08
PM tells Assad 'It's time to go'
David Cameron has called on Syria's president Bashar Assad to fall on his sword.
Speaking during a visit to the Afghan capital Kabul, Mr Cameron said: "I have a very clear message for President Assad. It is time for him to go.
"It is time for transition in the regime. If there isn't transition it's quite clear there's going to be civil war."
Mr Cameron was commenting a day after rebels penetrated the heart of Syria's government elite, detonating a bomb inside a crisis meeting in Damascus that killed three leaders of the regime, including President Assad's brother-in-law and the defence minister.
And, speaking before the United Nations security council voted on a new British-crafted Syria resolution, he added: "My message to President Putin is it's time for the UN security council to pass clear and tough messages about sanctions."
However, Russia and China later again vetoed the resolution threatening non-military sanctions against Syria by 11-2, with two abstentions.
Britain's UN Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said he was "appalled" at the third double veto by Russia and China.
A vote was postponed on Wednesday at the request of peace envoy Kofi Annan after a bomb blast in capital Damascus killed defence minister Dawoud Rajha and Assad's brother-in-law General Assef Shawkat.
The 15-member council must decide the future of a UN observer mission in Syria before its mandate expires on Friday, but the five veto-wielding permanent members - Britain, the US, Russia, China and France - remain split over whether stronger action is needed.
The observers were deployed in April to monitor a failed ceasefire under Mr Annan's peace plan.
what do you think?
Tara Dunn
He wants to sort this country out first, instead of sticking his nose in other countries affairs. If they want to blast each other to bits let them do it. Its less of them coming over here.
David Wragg
Syria is NONE of our business, Cameron. Putin must be laughing at you, but with contempt, not amusement. You will soon learn the bitter lesson that cutting our armed forces to nothing more than a token force will lose cost you any influence you ever had. Even if we had the forces, this is not our problem. I know your judgement is awful, to put it mildly and politely, but even you must realise that you are an also ran.
Brian Holmes
Exactly!
Mikel roi
Agreed! and hands up all those who are sick of the BBC and it's journalists wasting hours of OUR national news channel on Syria and what their JOURNALISTS think? ITV news seems to be crisper and more to the point, but even they let foreign affairs become too dominant. We pay licence money and pay (trough purchases for the adverts) for English and UK news. Our right to know? Well what on earth are we going to do about it? Help the yanks start another unending war?
Anthony Smith
Crikey, I bet Assad is really quaking in his boots now our Dave has put his oar in!!
EQINOX187 .
Im sorry but we no longer have any oar,s due to Navy cut backs but here you can have a match stick. :D
gordon
Someone tell Cameron to go.
Michael Mcardle
well thats that solved then. if cameron says its time to go assad will be packing his bags now.you know i think cameron really believes he has a say on the world stage. poor misguided jumped up liitle fool that he is
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kevin
You cannot run your own country, your as bad as Mr Bliar, mind your own buisness Mr camelot
simon williams
David Cameron time for you to go mate
Nathan Pegg
Is that the face of a future gurning champion?
Robert Egan
David Cameron, is this the man who tells other leaders about democrasy, a bit like our democrasy when we asked for a refferendun on Europe, he didn't listen to us, so why should anyone lisren to him, roll on the next general election.
lucy3638
Cameron should stop wasting our money trying to be what he is not, an international statesman, and at least make some effort at sorting out the multiple messes at home.Cameron should go and take Clegg with him
happymike CHESTER
HEY! David the I.M/F. say Britain's credit rating may be down graded and we are going into another recession".O/K I will shoot off to Afghanistan for a few days {photo opportunity} the flak may die down by then"."Good to see my Syrian terrorist`s are doing a fine job .
gypsy56
Cameron tells Assad to listen to the people and go! When will Cameron listen to the British people and GO!
Luke Grailey
When the the British people decide to vote him out, obviously.
Stephanie Thraves
WHY DONT YOU DO THE SAME MR CAMERON
EQINOX187 .
What amazes me is how quick he is to support these rebels without really knowing who is behind them who is pushing them who is organising them what there agendas are or what there feelings are toward the west or there plans for the future. For all we know whoever is behind the rebals could be far worse they might even be terrorist funded in which case if they succeed we would then have terrorists in possession of some very nasty chemical weapons. As others have said this joker Cameron should pay less attention to other country's and pay more attention to his own country that is falling apart like cheap jeans
Mikel roi
Good comment! How would we react if certain people suddenly started a similar uprising (using firearms and bombs) in our country, claiming to be liberating us? WHO exactly is behind this sudden wave of state overthrows in the middle East? Because, so far, there does not seem to be a consensus among the population on the replacement and fighting and terrorist attacks continue. Pity the poor, the innocent victims of this wave of armed conflicts!
Martin Beadle
why should he listen to you dave? your not listening to your own electorate
Fred Stuart
Do you think Assad is going to listen to a rich boy playing at prime ministers ? Doubt it very much
Edgar Beckett
You know what they say Dave " In politics, there`s always a worse one waiting to take his place "
Christopher Hodson
It is time for camaroon to go but he will not so why should anyone take notice of a PM with poor judgement
Brian Holmes
10:10am on 19/7/2012
David Cameron has heaped pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin to back UN sanctions against Syria. Hahaha! Yea right! Has he threatened to cut off the supply of gas to Russia? Oh sorry, I forgot, the gas - and the real power - flows the other way! The reality is nobody really gives a d-mn what Cameron says so he should stop wasting our money trying to be what he is not, an international statesman, and at least make some effort at sorting out the multiple messes at home.
David Wragg
10:29am on 19/7/2012
Spot on - well put! This report would be laughable if it wasn't so ridiculous.