EN
19 July 2012 - 10:43 AMT

UK PM calls on Syria’s Assad to step down

British Prime Minister David Cameron called on Thursday, July 19 on Syria's president to step down following an escalation of violence and bombings in the capital Damascus, the Associated Press reported.

Cameron also appealed to Russia and China to support a new UN resolution that threatens non-military sanctions and is tied to Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which could eventually allow the use of force to end the conflict.

"It is time for the United Nations Security Council to pass clear and tough messages about sanctions, I believe under Chapter 7 of the UN, and be unambiguous about it," Cameron said.

Russia, which is a close Syrian ally, has said it will veto any Chapter 7 resolution.

"I would appeal to those who in the past have held out against tough action against Syria that what more evidence do we need of a brutal regime in Syria?," Cameron said

He made the call in Kabul, where he is meeting with the Afghan president and Pakistani Prime Minister to discuss the ongoing war in Afghanistan.

The British leader said it was time for Assad to "go," saying that otherwise civil war is inevitable.

"It is time for him to go, it is time for transition in this regime," Cameron said. "Clearly Britain doesn't support violence on either side, but if there isn't transition there is going to be civil war. That is the clear fact that we can all see on the ground."