Hillary Clinton calls for ‘friends of Syria’ to unite

Hillary Clinton calls for ‘friends of Syria’ to unite

Associated Press

SOFIA, Bulgaria

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called today for “friends of democratic Syria” to unite and rally against President Bashar Assad’s regime, previewing the possible formation of a formal group of likeminded nations to coordinate assistance to the Syrian opposition.

Speaking in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia a day after Russia and China blocked U.N. Security Council action on Syria, Clinton said the international community had a duty to halt ongoing bloodshed and promote a political transition that would see Assad step down. She said the “friends of Syria” should work together to promote those ends.

Clinton was bluntly critical of Saturday’s veto by Russia and China at the United Nations blocking action against the continuing violence in Syria.

“What happened yesterday at the United Nations was a travesty,” she said.