McCain Blasts White House’s Inaction over Syria
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Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — More than 14,000 people have died since the uprising in Syria began over a year ago, and Arizona Sen. John McCain wonders how many more lives will be lost before the U.S. takes action.
During an appearance Sunday on CBS’ Face the Nation, McCain blasted the Obama administration for its lack of action regarding the situation in Syria, calling the U.S. performance so far “shameful and disgraceful.”
The Arizona Republican said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has “massacred” 14,000 people, and the U.S. needs to start supplying arms to the opposition.
McCain, who just returned from a trip to Afghanistan and Lebanon, said the U.S. has played no leadership role in the crisis, and the president needs to start speaking out on behalf of the people of Syria.
Sen. McCain says he isn’t calling for American boots on the ground, but feels the U.S. does need to get arms to the opposition so there’s a balance because “it’s not a fair fight, Russian arms are pouring in, Iranians are on the ground,” assisting the Assad government.
McCain’s call for American action came on the same day that President Assad accused the U.S. of fueling the violent uprising in his country. Assad made his claim during an interview that appeared on a German TV station.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio