Britain's Hague: Assad must reform or step aside

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Monday that the Syrian regime could face more sanctions as he reiterated his call for President Bashar al-Assad to implement reforms or leave power. "The situation remains very serious and, if anything, is deteriorating," Hague told reporters as he arrived for a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels. "It is really up to the Syrian people but I believe he should reform or step aside," he said. The European Union has slapped asset freezes and travel bans on the Damascus regime, including against Assad, in response to a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. "Certainly there will be a time for further sanctions," Hague said.