WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Though it is apparent Damascus is relaxing its stance on the opposition, the regime must immediately put an end to the violence, Washington said.
Syrian President Bashar Assad is under pressure for a brutal crackdown on opposition to his administration. The regime has allowed some opposition meetings in recent days and pulled troops out of parts of the country. The situation is different in other places such as Aleppo and Jabal al-Zawiya province, however.
Mark Toner, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, told reporters during his regular press briefing there was a "mixed picture" of the situation in Syria. Nevertheless, Washington maintains violence is not the answer, he said.
"We condemn its continued, vicious repression of peaceful demonstrators, and we call on them to stop this violence, to release all political prisoners, end torture, and allow humanitarian aid to those in need, and finally, with respect to access to international media so we can get a better picture of what's going on in Syria," he said.
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Some U.S. lawmakers have complained that keeping an ambassador in Damascus only serves the interest of the regime. Washington said, however, that engagement is the best course of action.
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, met with Syrian officials during a weekend visit. He complained the situation in the country was misrepresented.
"A process of national dialogue is now beginning," Kucinich said in a statement. "This process is unprecedented in Syria and should not be dismissed as mere window dressing, because until now there has been no window for people to view what democracy in Syria would look like."
His visit to Damascus was not in an official capacity.
