Clinton meets Syrian opposition while US envoy returns to Damascus

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held a rare meeting on Tuesday with Syrian opposition figures as the Obama administration returned its top envoy to Damascus after he was recalled six weeks ago because of security concerns and worsening violence.      

Syrians must not only remove President Bashar Assad but also advance towards the rule of law, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.            

"A democratic transition includes more than removing the Assad regime. It means setting Syria on the path of the rule of law and protecting the universal rights of all citizens regardless of sect or ethnicity or gender," Clinton said as she began a meeting with Syrian opposition members who are all exiles in Europe and belong to the Syrian National Council, one of several umbrella groups for Assad foes.            

She said the opposition understood that Syrian minorities needed to be reassured that they would be better off "under a regime of tolerance and freedom".        

Tuesday's meeting marked only the second time Clinton has held an in-person session with members of the Syrian opposition since President Barack Obama called for Assad to step down in August amid a still ongoing brutal crackdown on pro-reform demonstrators.

Reuters/AP