Associated Press reporter Matt Lee pointed out to State Department Deputy Spokesman Patrick Ventrell that the U.S. has not been moving quickly on their threats to Bashir Al-Assad’s regime in Syria. “We’ve long said that the Assad regime’s days are numbered,” Ventrell stated during Monday’s press briefing. “Do you know how many days it’s been since that was first said?” Lee asked. “Close to 600 now.” “We have long said that he needs to step aside and let this peaceful – let the political transition happen so that the Syrian people can have the peaceful future they deserve,” Ventrell replied.

Transcript:

MR. VENTRELL: Our concern is a broad one, Matt, that is – and we’ve said – we’ve long said that the Assad regime’s days are numbered and that as they increasingly feel pressure that they will potentially will be willing to use this. And that’s why we’ve been so clear.



MR. LEE: Has it been – just on the days are numbered line – do you know how many days it’s been since that was first said?



MR. VENTRELL: I don’t know when we first said that, but —



MR. LEE: Close to 600 now.



MR. VENTRELL: We have long said that he needs to step aside and let this peaceful – let the political transition happen so that the Syrian people can have the peaceful future they deserve.