Anti-government protests are continuing in Syria today amidst ongoing attacks by the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Demonstrations are expected across Syria today after Friday prayers. At least seven people were reportedly killed Thursday in new government attacks. Speaking in Paris, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for new international sanctions on Assad’s regime.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “The violence must stop, and [Assad] needs to step aside. Syria must be allowed to move forward. Those who have joined us in this call must now translate our rhetoric into concrete actions to escalate the pressure on Assad and those around him, including strong new sanctions targeting Syria’s energy sector to deny the regime the revenues that fund its campaign of violence. The E.U. has already taken important steps, and I’m pleased to hear that more are on the way.”