Reuters / Landov
A top U.S. intelligence officer said Tuesday that the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a “matter of time.” “I do not see how he can sustain his rule of Syria,” said James Clapper, the director of national intelligence. Clapper said the opposition is “fragmented,” but it is piling pressure on Assad to step down. Meanwhile, world leaders are in New York on Tuesday to discuss a plan to end the violence in Syria. At least 30 people were reportedly killed Monday as Assad loyalists seized Damascus suburbs that had been taken over by Army defectors. A joint European-Arab resolution calling for Assad to cede power to a deputy has the support of the 10 Security Council members necessary to bring it to a vote, but Russia continues to threaten to block the measure. Russia and China vetoed an attempt at a resolution in October.