Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Rips Obama's Handling of Syria

From her perch as chairwoman of the House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., ripped the Obama administrations handling of the crisis in Syria.

Its been over two years since the popular uprisings sparked up across Syria against al-Assad and his murderous regime, she said on Wednesday. Amidst the backdrop of the Arab Spring, thousands of Syrians demonstrated against Assad calling for the despotic ruler to step down, to release political prisoners, and institute democratic reforms.These protesters were met swiftly with the harsh hand of Assad as he unleashed his police who doled out brutal beatings upon the demonstrators, resulting in many deaths. Now, as we enter our third year of this conflict, the Assad regime has been responsible for the murder of over 80,000 Syrians, and over 1.5 million people have fled seeking refuge in other countries.

Ros-Lehtinen insisted the Obama administration did not do enough to help foster democracy in Syria though she added she does not support arming Assads opposition.

This administration had an opportunity to support the demonstrators from the beginning who took to the streets demanding that Assad step down, she said.Yet, just like it failed to voice a full-throated support for the demonstrators in Iran after the 2009 elections, it was deafeningly silent and failed to advance the cause for democratic reform. Instead of supporting the popular uprisings from the onset and immediately calling for Assad to step down, President Obama waited five months to publicly call for his removal. The delayed response also allowed for extremist groups and al-Qaida affiliates to move in and co-opt the movement, setting up the bloody conflict that we see every day.

Calling for a political solution in Syria, the South Florida congresswoman added we cannot shoot our way out of this mess, before assigning some blame to Russias role in the region.

We need to work with our allies in the region who fear the repercussions of a protracted conflict in Syria, and we need to address the serious issue of Moscow continuing to arm the regime, she said. An influx of Russian arms into Syria has escalated this battle and has helped prop up Assad. If Moscow does not cease arming the regime, the United States should re-evaluate our relationship with Russia.