The Hill News

President Obama released a statement Thursday harshly criticizing the Syrian government for its violent response to the ongoing political protests currently underway in the Middle Eastern nation.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of force by the Syrian government against demonstrators. This outrageous use of violence to quell protests must come to an end now," Obama said in a statement.

At least 72 people reportedly died on Friday, which appears to be the bloodiest day out  of five weeks of anti-government protests. More than 280 people are believed to have been killed since the protests began last month.

Obama said President Assad and the Syrian government have refused to be responsive to the public's desire for democracy, choosing instead to cling to power by brutally repressing its citizens and seeking assistance from Iran.

"President Assad and the Syrian authorities have repeatedly rejected their calls a! nd chosen the path of repression," Obama said.

"They have placed their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Syrian people, resorting to the use of force and outrageous human rights abuses to compound the already oppressive security measures in place before these demonstrations erupted."

Obama called Assad's move Friday to repeal the country's decades-old Emergency Law to allow for protests "not serious given the continued violent repression against protesters today." He urged Assad to change course and listen to the will of his people.

"We strongly oppose the Syrian government’s treatment of its citizens and we continue to oppose its continued destabilizing behavior more generally, including support for terrorism and terrorist groups," Obama said.

"The United States will continue to stand up for democracy and the universal rights that all human beings deserve, in Syria and around the world."