White House: Assad Does Not Deserve to Rule Syria

WASHINGTON – The White House is renewing its call for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, saying his regime does not deserve to rule.

The White House said Wednesday in a statement that Assad's regime has no credibility and has "flagrantly violated" its commitment to end violence.

The statement said the Obama administration is deeply disturbed by continued reports of government-backed violence against the Syrian people. Witnesses said more than 200 people have been in killed in two days of violence this week.

The violence came after Assad agreed to allow foreign monitors under an Arab League plan aimed at stopping the bloodshed.

The White House warned Damascus that additional steps will be taken to pressure Assad's regime if the Arab League initiative is not fully implemented.