The US believes that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must leave as part of an "orderly transition over a reasonable period of time", instead of calling for his immediate ousting, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview with CNN.
He noted that if Assad leaves more quickly, it could lead to a worsening of the situation in the country.
"We need to have an orderly transition, a managed transition, so that you don't have a fear of retribution, loss of life, revenge," Kerry said, urging a leadership change over a "reasonable period of time."
