David Cameron pressures Putin to back tough action over Syrian regime

DAVID Cameron today heaped pressure on Russia to back tough action against the Syrian regime amid fears the country is sliding into civil war.

The Prime Minister also called on Syrian President Bashar Assad to give up power to avert more chaos and bloodshed.

Mr Cameron was speaking on a visit to Afghanistan while Syrian Government forces were reportedly shelling a number of neighbourhoods in and around the capital Damascus.

Mr Cameron added: “I don’t think any regime that carries out acts as they have should survive.”

Urging Russia and China to back other UN nations desperate to take action, he added: “I would appeal to those that have held out in the past against tough action against Syria that what more evidence do we need?”

The UN was due to vote later today on a new British-crafted Syria resolution that threatens non-military sanctions against Assad’s regime if he does not withdraw troops and heavy weapons from populated areas within 10 days.

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.

Syrian TV confirmed defence minister Dawoud Rajha, 65, was one of those killed in the blast. The White House said the bombing showed Assad was “losing control” of Syria.

The whereabouts of Assad, his wife and three young children remained unknown after the attack, which rebels claim the had carried out.