ESCALATION

Syria Gets Ultimatum

Western and Arab nations to call for ceasefire.

The Obama administration is working with international leaders to bring about a ceasefire in Syria. They are in particular seeking an end to the siege of Homs, a city that has endured more than two weeks of shelling as forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have sought to crush dissident groups. The more than 70 Arab and European countries that are seeking the ceasefire along with the United States, known as the "Friends of Syria," will demand immediate access to the city for badly needed medical aid and humanitarian attention. According to sources, in the talks, which will take place Friday in Tunisia, they are asking for a response from Assad “within days.” The leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, are also asking for increased recognition of the Syrian National Council and stricter sanctions against Assad’s regime. More than 50 were reported dead in the nation on Thursday.