Obama says Assad must go to end Syria civil war

He also said that he does not foresee a situation in which the civil war can end in Syria while Assad remains in power

US President Barack Obama today said Syria's civil war would not end unless Bashar al-Assad leaves power, discounting suggestions the Middle Eastern leader could take part in future elections.

"I do not foresee a situation in which we can end the civil war in Syria while Assad remains in power," Obama said, just days after meeting Assad's top backer, Russian President Vladimir Putin.