Australia Says ICC Must Try Assad for 'Atrocities'

Australia urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down on Thursday and said he should be tried before the International Criminal Court for "atrocities" against his people.

"Our view in Australia is that Assad must go," Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters at the French foreign ministry in Paris, at a joint appearance with his counterpart Alain Juppe.

"Our view in Australia is in fact his case is worthy of referral to the International Criminal Court, given the level of atrocities we have seen. As we speak, further atrocities are being committed," he said.

Juppe said that an Arab League observer mission to Syria, where Assad's forces are putting down a pro-democracy street revolt and clashing with armed rebels, was "in difficulty" and not being allowed to work.

"Syria is not respecting the undertaking it gave to the Arab League to withdraw its troops to barracks," he said, saying a report from the observers should be submitted to the U.N. Security Council for further action.

A popular revolt against Assad's authoritarian rule erupted in Syria in March in the wake of similar uprisings across the Arab world. It has descended into violence as the regime cracks down and rebel groups emerge.