Assad's control over Syria extremely reduced: US

Reiterating its commitment to bring political change in Syria through peaceful and diplomatic options, the Obama Administration has noted that the Assad regime in Syria remains in a vulnerable position and its control over the country is extremely reduced.
"Assad remains in a vulnerable position, that his control over his country is extremely reduced because of the strength of the opposition," White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, said at his daily news conference.
The Obama Administration, he said, remains committed with its partners and allies to a process that brings an end to this conflict and allows Syrian people to determine their own future sans the Assad regime in power.

"So I think that it's evident that there remains a great amount of violence in Syria, a great loss of life. We are committed to our support for the Syrian people through humanitarian aid.
"We are committed to our support for the Syria opposition through the direct assistance we've been providing and will continue to provide," he said.
The US, he said, is committed to re-evaluating the options that are available to the President when it comes to further action in Syria.

"We evaluate those options based on assessments of whether or not implementing those options would bring us closer to the policy objective, which is the peaceful transition within Syria," the presidential spokesman said.

Responding to questions, Carney said the US is working to bring together representatives of the opposition and the regime, with the goal of implementing the Geneva Communique.
"The UN would chair the conference. Secretary (of State, John) Kerry has been meeting with other nations and a range of key supporters of the opposition to lay the groundwork for the conference," he said.
Karney observed that the political transition is the right path to bring about a cessation of the terrible violence in Syria and the beginning of an implementation of a post-Assad future for the Syrian people.
Carney said the US President, Barack Obama, has every option on his table when it comes to Syria.

"Every option available to the President remains on the table when it comes to our policy towards Syria. That, of course, includes the possibility of a no-fly zone," he said.
"I think it is inaccurate to suggest that somehow that option would be something that would be in development only now, because the President has made clear that he seeks all options be available to him as he reviews those options and makes decisions about them," he said.
"So the suggestion that there's some new option when we have been discussing in this room, in response to suggestions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill and others, this particular option doesn't seem particularly newsworthy," Carney said.