U.S. Weighs War Crimes For Syria

The AFP reports:

The United States is studying whether war crimes charges can be brought against Syria to pressure its regime to end a bloody crackdown on dissent, a senior administration official said Friday.

The official said other measures, including sanctions targeting the country's oil and gas sector, were being considered as part of a broader diplomatic campaign to increase pressure on Syria's President Bashar Assad.

Two administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, outlined the campaign in a teleconference with reporters, stressing efforts were being made at the United Nations and with partners in the region to condemn and isolate the regime.

"Other things we are looking into is whether there are ground for charges related to war crimes, whether referrals on that are appropriate," said one official.

"And we're also looking at additional economic steps, and one in particular has to do with the oil and gas sector in Syria."

Syria has responded to spreading protests against Assad's rule by intensifying a crackdown, deploying its military to assault towns along the northern border with Turkey, which has set off a wave of refugees across the border.