AFP, Tunis, 24 Feb 2012 – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a conference on Syria Friday that President Bashar al-Assad will ‘pay a heavy cost’ for ignoring international will with his crackdown on the opposition.
She said the meeting was aimed at ‘increasing the pressure on the Assad regime, deepening its isolation, and sending a clear message: You will pay a heavy cost for ignoring the will of the international community and violating the human rights of your people.’
Clinton also announced urgent US aid to help tackle the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria.
‘We cannot wait for this crisis to become an even greater catastrophe. Today I am announcing that the United States is providing $10 million to quickly scale up humanitarian efforts, including support for refugees,’ she said.
‘These funds will help support makeshift medical facilities, train emergency medical staff, and get clean water, food, blankets, heaters, and hygiene kits to Syrian civilians in need. This is not the end. The United States will provide more humanitarian support in coming days,’ Clinton said.