Obama Accuses Syria Of 'Disdain For Human Life'

(NewsCore) - US President Barack Obama on Saturday accused the Syrian regime of showing a "disdain for human life and dignity" after the massacre of hundreds of civilians in the flashpoint city of Homs.

"Thirty years after his father massacred tens of thousands of innocent Syrian men, women, and children in Hama, Bashar al Assad has demonstrated a similar disdain for human life and dignity," Obama said in a statement.

He added, "Yesterday [Friday] the Syrian government murdered hundreds of Syrian citizens, including women and children, in Homs through shelling and other indiscriminate violence, and Syrian forces continue to prevent hundreds of injured civilians from seeking medical help."

At least 337 people were killed in the assault on the central city, including 72 children and 45 women, a spokesman for the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) told Sky News. The spokesman feared the death toll would rise as 1,100 people were injured in the assault, including 95 who are in critical condition.

The assault came 30 years after tens of thousands of people died in assault on another flashpoint city, Hama, when Assad's father ruled Syria.

Obama told Assad to stop the killing and leave power.

"Assad must halt his campaign of killing and crimes against his own people now. He must step aside and allow a democratic transition to proceed immediately," he said.

"The Syrian regime's policy of maintaining power by terrorizing its people only indicates its inherent weakness and inevitable collapse. Assad has no right to lead Syria, and has lost all legitimacy with his people and the international community," he added.

Obama called on the UN Security Council, which is meeting in New York, to condemn the violence.

"Earlier this week, our Arab partners called on UN Security Council members to take action to support a political solution to the crisis in Syria and stop Assad's 'killing machine,'" Obama said. "The Council now has an opportunity to stand against the Assad regime's relentless brutality and to demonstrate that it is a credible advocate for the universal rights that are written into the UN Charter."

Obama pledged US and international support for a "Syria without Assad."

"The United States and our international partners support the Syrian people in achieving their aspirations and will continue to assist the Syrian people toward that goal," he said. "We will help because we stand for principles that include universal rights for all people and just political and economic reform. The suffering citizens of Syria must know -- we are with you, and the Assad regime must come to an end."