WASHINGTON - The White House on Friday called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to "step down now," saying that the country is on a "dangerous path".

"We condemned the assassination of Kurdish opposition leader Meshaal Tamo and the vicious and unprovoked assault against prominent opposition figure Riad Sayf in Syria," spokesman Jay Carney said a statement. "The United States strongly rejects violence directed against peaceful oppositionists whenever it occurs, and stands in solidarity with the courageous people of Syria who deserve their universal rights."

"Today's attacks demonstrate the Syrian regime's latest attempts to shut down peaceful opposition inside Syria. President Assad must step down now before taking his country further down this very dangerous path." Carney said.

The White House also noted that these acts of violence took place just three days after the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution calling for international human rights monitors in Syria in the face of brutal repression.