Clinton Says Assad's Regime Legitimacy Has 'Nearly Run Out'

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday that the international community needs to be more united on dealing with the Syrian government's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement there.

"Right now the attitude of the international community is not as united as we are seeking to make it," the chief U.S. diplomat told reporters.

"We do not yet have the agreement by some of the other members of the (U.N.) Security Council," she said, apparently alluding to Russia's moves blocking a proposed Security Council statement condemning the violence in Syria.

"We certainly have nothing resembling the kind of strong action the Arab League took with respect to Libya," Clinton said.

In March, the Arab League gave its support for a no-fly zone imposed by Western forces to protect Libyan civilians against Moammar Gadhafi's forces while declaring that Gadhafi's regime had lost its legitimacy.

Clinton again recalled that U.S. President Barack Obama last month had given Assad the choice to lead a transition or "get out of the way."

"Every day that he stays in office and the violence continues he's basically making that choice by default," Clinton said.

"I think the legitimacy that is necessary for anyone to expect change to occur under this current government is, if not gone, nearly run out," Clinton said.

"The international community has to continue to make its strongest possible case," she added.