Obama Condemns Syria Crackdown

Politico reports:

With less than five hours to go before a possible government shutdown, President Obama released a statement on Friday condemning the ongoing violence in Syria.

Urging the country’s authorities and protesters to refrain from using violence, Obama called for an end to “arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture of prisoners,” and demanded that “the free flow of information” be permitted.

“Throughout this time of upheaval, the American people have heard the voices of the Syrian people, who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and dignity, and who deserve a government that is responsive to their aspirations,” 
Obama said, adding that all Syrians deserve to have their universal rights respected.

The president also accused the Syrian government of failing to address the aspirations of its people, and maintained that “violence and detention are not the answer to the grievances of the Syrian people.”

“It is time for the Syrian government to stop repressing its citizens and to listen to the voices of the Syrian people calling for meaningful political and economic reforms,” Obama said.

The president released one other written statement on Friday, but he has not spoken in front of cameras since Thursday night.