U.S. Warns Syria to End 'Horrible' Assault

The United States on Thursday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to respect a U.N.-backed April 10 deadline to end his "horrible" crackdown or face further international pressure.

Echoing assessments made at the United Nations, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the United States saw no signs that Assad's forces were complying with the peace plan to pull out troops and guns from protest cities.

"It's not surprising, certainly discouraging," Toner said of the Syrian forces' actions. "It is clear that the Assad regime appears to be using this window to continue to carry out its horrible assault on the Syrian people."

The United States would consult with other nations on unspecified further steps if Syria does not comply with the deadline, he said.

"The punishment for non-compliance is going to be increased pressure on Assad, on his regime, and a clear message to those around him that they are on the wrong side of history," Toner said.

The U.N. Security Council, including Assad's historic supporter Russia, backed a peace plan under which Assad would withdraw forces on April 10 and completely halt hostilities by the morning of April 12.

But former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, who negotiated the deal, said there were still "alarming" casualties.

The United States has urged Assad to step down and end the assault on protesters that the United Nations says has killed more than 9,000 people in the past year.