Clinton says US, Russia agree to back mediation on Syria, but Assad must step down

Bradley Klapper, The Associated Press

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States and Russia have agreed to support mediation efforts with all parties in Syria to bring about a political transition.

But she says Syrian President Bashar Assad (bah-SHAR' AH'-sahd) must leave power to secure a democratic future for the Arab country. Washington and Moscow have clashed repeatedly throughout Syria's 21-month civil war over how to stem the violence.

In a new effort, Clinton met with Russia's foreign minister and the U.N. peace envoy for Syria to try to chart a new path forward.