White House: Matter of time before Assad falls

AAA??Feb. 12, 2012?9:39 AM ET
White House: Matter of time before Assad falls
AP

Syrian youth chant slogans beneath a revolutionary flag outside an anti-Syrian regime protest tent in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Syrian youth chant slogans beneath a revolutionary flag outside an anti-Syrian regime protest tent in Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby, left, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Althani, right, are seen during a meeting in Cairo, Egypt Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. The Arab League is considering a proposal Sunday to revive its suspended observer mission in Syria by expanding it to include monitors from non-Arab, Muslim nations and the United Nations, officials from the 22-member group said. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

In this picture taken on Thursday Feb. 9, 2012, a building which was destroyed by Syrian government forces shelling, in Bayada neighborhood in Homs province, central Syria. The European Union will impose harsher sanctions on Syria, a senior EU official has said, as Russia tried to broker talks between the vice president and the opposition to calm violence. Activists reported at least 50 killed in the regime's siege of the restive city of Homs. (AP Photo)

In this picture taken on Wednesday Feb. 8, 2012, Syrian citizens look to a damaged armored personnel carrier belonging to Syrian police riots forces which was destroyed by the Syrian rebels during clashes Bayada neighborhood in Homs province, central Syria. The European Union will impose harsher sanctions on Syria, a senior EU official has said, as Russia tried to broker talks between the vice president and the opposition to calm violence. Activists reported at least 50 killed in the regime's siege of the restive city of Homs. The Arabic banner hang on the background wall reads:"The free army". (AP Photo)

In this picture taken on Wednesday Feb. 8, 2012, a military vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces which was destroyed by the Syrian rebels during clashes at Bayada neighborhood in Homs province, central Syria. The European Union will impose harsher sanctions on Syria, a senior EU official has said, as Russia tried to broker talks between the vice president and the opposition to calm violence. Activists reported at least 50 killed in the regime's siege of the restive city of Homs. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama's chief of staff says it's only a matter of time before the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad collapses.

Jacob Lew says the U.S. and its allies have brought "serious financial pressure" on Syria and that Assad's government is "feeling it."

While the violence continues as rebels try to topple Assad, Lew says the transition "from tyranny to democracy is very hard." Lew says the Syrian people "have to handle this in a way that works in Syria."

Lew tells "Fox News Sunday" that "the brutality of the Assad regime is unacceptable and has to end." He says the U.S. is pursuing "all avenues that we can" and that "there is no question that this regime will come to an end. The only question is when."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-02-12-US-Syria/id-15d697c596214126a87fecb216f051e7

prime rib recipe norad santa tracker vince carter sweet potato casserole safeway standing rib roast its a wonderful life