Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the situation in Syria:

 “Canada reiterates its strong condemnation of the ongoing violent military assault by the Assad regime against the Syrian people. This campaign of terror must stop.

“The Assad regime has lost all legitimacy by killing its own people to stay in power.

“I join with President Obama and other members of the international community in calling on President Assad to vacate his position, relinquish power and step down immediately. The Syrian people have a right to decide for themselves the next steps for Syria's future.

“Canada has taken decisive action imposing sanctions that directly target members of the current Syrian regime and those who provide it with support.

“Canada stands with the Syrian people in their efforts to secure freedom and democracy, and looks forward to a new Syria that respects the rights of all of its people and lives in peace with its neighbours."