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SANA via AFP - Getty Images
A handout picture released Tuesday by the official Syrian Arab News Agency shows Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, meeting with Saeed Jalili, a top aide to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Damascus.
Updated at 8:31 p.m. ET: As Syrian President Bashar Assad appeared on television for the first time in two weeks on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the high-profile defection of the Syrian prime minister increased the urgency of planning for the ouster of Assad's regime.
In South Africa's capital, Pretoria, Clinton said the United States and other countries needed to make sure that Syrian state institutions remain intact once Assad loses his grip on power.
"The intensity of the fighting in Aleppo, the defections, really point out how imperative it is that we come together and work toward a good transition plan," Clinton said.
"I do think we can begin talking about planning for what happens next: the day after the regime does fall. I am not going to put a timeline on it, I can't possibly predict it, but I know it's going to happen as do most observers around the world," Clinton said.
Clinton also warned against "proxies or terrorist fighters" being sent in to join the 17-month-old conflict.
The escalating war in Syria has increasingly divided the region along its sectarian faultline, pitting the mainly-Sunni rebels, who are backed by regional Sunni-led powers Turkey and the Gulf Arab states, against Assad's government that is backed by Shiite Iran.
In a possible sign of increasing American pressure on Assad’s government, Clinton's remarks come a day after three U.S. senators warned about the risks of American failure to provide assistance to Syrian opposition fighters.
Clinton also spoke a day after the defection of Prime Minister Riyad Hijab, the latest in a string of high-level departures from the Assad regime.
US makes plans to keep post-Assad Syria intact
TV appearance
Assad appeared on Syrian state TV on Tuesday meeting with Iran's Supreme National Security Council in Damascus.
Assad's absence had fueled rumors about his health, including a hoax Twitter message Monday that quoted Russia's ambassador to Damascus as saying Assad might have been killed.
Russian officials quickly denied the report.
Three US senators warn about risks of inaction in Syria
In the week after a July 18 bombing that killed four members of his inner circle, Assad was shown twice in silent footage on television, swearing in a new defense minister and meeting military officials.
NBC News
People resisting the army of President Bashar Assad in northern Syria cope with loss and prepare for fighting.
During Tuesday's Damascus meeting, Saeed Jalili, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran would not let its close partnership with the Syrian leadership to be shaken by the uprising or external foes.
"Iran will not allow the axis of resistance, of which it considers Syria to be an essential part, to be broken in any way," Syrian television quoted Jalili as saying.
The "axis of resistance" refers to Shiite Iran's anti-Israel alliance with Syria's rulers - from the Alawite faith which is an offshoot of Shiite Islam - and the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, with Iranian and Syrian support.
Damascus and Tehran have held Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab states and Turkey, all allies of the United States and European powers, responsible for the bloodshed in Syria by supporting the overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim rebels. Western powers sympathetic to the rebels are concerned that anti-Western Sunni Islamists could benefit from a victory for the anti-Assad forces.
Iran's Fars news agency said Jalili told Assad that Iran was prepared to provide humanitarian aid to Syria.
As estimated 18,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict, as rebels battle government forces in an attempt to wrest control from the Assad family's four-decade grip on power.
Watch World News videos on NBCNews.com
On a fence-mending visit to Turkey, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said he wanted to work with Ankara to resolve the crisis. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan described as "worrying" a comment on Monday by Tehran's top general, who blamed Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar for bloodshed in Syria.
Iran has expressed fears for more than 40 Iranians it says are religious pilgrims kidnapped by rebels from a bus in Damascus while visiting Shiite shrines. Salehi wrote to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon seeking his help to free them.
Rebels say they suspect the captives were troops sent to help Assad. A rebel spokesman in the Damascus area said on Monday three of the Iranians had been killed by government shelling. He initially said the rest would be executed if the shelling did not stop but later said they were being questioned.
At least 262 al-Qaida militants are now operating in the border area between Turkey and Syria and rebels say another group of fighters are living in a tented camp just outside Aleppo, Syria's largest city. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Fighting rages in Aleppo
On Tuesday, rebels trying to fight off an army offensive in Aleppo said they were running low on ammunition as government forces encircled their stronghold at the southern entrance to the country's biggest city.
Assad has reinforced his troops in preparation for an assault to recapture rebel-held districts of Aleppo after repelling fighters from most of Damascus.
Related: Official: Syria PM defects to anti-Assad opposition
"The Syrian army is trying to encircle us from two sides of Salaheddine," said Sheikh Tawfiq, one of the rebel commanders, referring to the southwestern neighborhood which has seen heavy fighting over the last week.
Mortar fire and tank shells exploded across the district early Tuesday, forcing rebel fighters to take cover in crumbling buildings and rubble-strewn alleyways.
Complete international coverage on NBCNews.com
Tanks have entered parts of Salaheddine and army snipers, using the cover of heavy bombardment, deployed on rooftops, hindering rebel movements.
Machine guns operated by motorcycle brakes? Get a glimpse at the rebels fighting against Assad's forces in Syria's mountainous Jabal al-Zawiya area.
Another rebel commander, Abu Ali, said snipers at the main Saleheddine roundabout were preventing the rebels from bringing in reinforcements and supplies. He said five of his fighters were killed on Monday and 20 wounded.
But rebels said they were still holding the main streets of Salaheddine which have been the frontline of their clashes with Assad's forces.
Journalist: British militants took me hostage in Syria
A fighter jet pounded targets in the eastern districts of Aleppo and artillery shelling could be heard in the early morning, an activist in Aleppo said.
"Two families, about 14 people in total, were believed killed when a shell hit their home and it collapsed this morning," the activist said. The house was one street away from a school being used by rebels, he said.
Reuters, The Associated Press and NBC News' staff contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
So the regime is toppled by these "Freedom" terrorists and then what? Continued religious bloodshed between the Shiites and the Sunnis just like in Iraq? Is that the plan? Sounds like more destabilization is coming for the Middle East....Maybe that's the ultimate goal here to completely throw the Middle East into chaos....It's well on it's way......Just a hint for you people who are continuing to drink the Kool Aid and blindly follow this Socialist pig and his minions. Here's a peek at the coming headlines - Another Massacre will be reported involving Woman and Children followed by reports of the execution of thousands. This and an attack on a Western Target that is linked to Iran is in the future so prepare yourselves...It's called the war machine and it's in full tilt
Who's the socialist pig? I mean, I'm guessing you were talking about Obama, but I just want to make sure I know who which party you're pointlessly vilifying.
Also, I've never heard of a massacre that didn't involve women and children. Isn't it weird that it needs to be specified? As if someone says "more civilized thugs would have only killed the innocent adult males. That would have WAY more humane."
Are you saying that the western target would be linked to Iran, or that the attack would be linked to Iran? Either way that's a pretty wide net you're casting, there. "Our enemies who want us dead and eventually try to attack us" isn't exactly clever forecasting.
Just a few thoughts. I don't really feel like discussing things with a frothing wave of vitriol.
You do have a point about the War Machine, but i disagree with your politics. LOL
Another mess in that part of the world for the U.S. to f--k up, IMHO.
Not our problem. But since your such a genius on foreign policy, your advice on how it should be handled is what exactly?
Where's the video? It's easy to overdub silent footage to make it be anything they want it to be.
Every day, our corrupt liberal media , led by NBC & CBS, feeds us what it wants us to see & hear, slanted left. The ignorant buy it; the more awake & aware go to other & more balanced outlets for the truth.
"Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely." D.C. is a classic example of that truism.
Our "trusted servants" lust to rule, not serve. We no longer have a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Voters need to remember that, take a big broom and sweep out the WH and Congress on Nov.2.
My plan exactly, do not vote for ANY incumbents. I would rather have a newbie every year than a "career man".
right
except the last part
It will not change by "the vote"
once your ready to get a bloody nose - then
Are you ready?
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hey! -
where did you go?
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balls
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and ball-etts
Exactly MUGTECH
Don't Re-elect ANY of their "Incumbents" including Bailout Barry for they are all equally guilty by working in conjunction with their Wall Street Mega Banksters and Military Industrial Corporations to defraud the American People by starting at least 5 more of these "Not Wars" on Obama's watch!
If the "Incumbent" is a Democrat Vote Republican....If the "Incumbent" is Republican Vote Democratic!
Spread the word let none of these "Criminals" deserve to keep their jobs in Washington DC this year!
Allow no more "Children" to be Murdered for Corporate Fun & Profit in "America's" name!
oh oh.
Why do we care what happens in Syria?
The people fighting on either side would gladly quit fighting tomorrow and kill Americans.
If we support the terrorists who are trying to kill Assad and enslave the people of Syria under 13th century Islamic law, we do ourselves a great disservice.
If we support the tyrant running the country, we support Iran and its terror state minions.
Either way, the victor will be trying to kill Americans, steal technology and nuke Israel in short order.
Maybe we should ask the Iranian operatives on the White House staff what to do?????
Oh wait, they are out blaming Romney for the unemployment in the late 1990's and complaining about taxes he never paid in their imaginary world.
whos we?
why is everyone speaking
different than they talk?
and words of color cloaked?
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go look in the mirror and address yourself :
I am a @!$%#ing pussy
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your welcome
This is what happens to the US when your boss is the demonic state of pissrael. Constant warfare trillions robbed on wall st. We deserve to feel pain here for the misery and slaughter we have put on those people in the mideast for 50 years especially the yellow yahoos here screaming for more blood from the safety of moms basement. That evil blubber assed witch killary clinton is evil. She giggled like a school girl when ghadaffi was killed a man that did nothing to the US. Who is that lesbian bitch to fly around the world overseeing and fomenting slaughter
uka I do not want to put the way did , but you are right about Mrs. Clinton , she been going around the world and drumming up support for the slaughter of innocent people in Syria along with McCain , Graham , Lieberman and all these hawks politicians that not serving the people in the US but serving the Kings in Saudi and Qatar and Israel trying to start a war that going to be the end of the World as we know it , but they do not care , they have an agenda to serve and they are going along with it , and not paying attention to the interest of the people that put in their office , Its a shame and some body better wake up and put stop to them . I hope our Generals are smarter not to send our troops in harms way , just to satisfy these warmonger politicians .
thanks my turn but I think mincing words and pussyfooting around got us into this mess. We do not have much time to fix this if at all being politically correct will not get it done being it is suicidal. Graham is a screaming queen faggot lieberman is an inbred demonic jew and mcpain is a brain damaged phsyco
WELL uka our problems , we have got most of our politicians are lawyers and they are use to say , (YES YOUR HONOR ) AND FORGET ABOUT THEIR CLIENT , AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING , ( yes your majesty and your Hines's ) and they are getting paid for it . and they are working for these countries that were behind these thugs that attacked us on 9/11 . and too busy trying to destroy countries that did nothing to us .
YOU SAID Fiestyredhead not me , why do you want to kill these Ayatollahs and Assad ??? what did they do to you or the US ??? or you just like every body else , you want to kill them because you do not like them , or thy do not agree with every thing you do or your allies do .
Yuo talk about Netanyahu ?
Or maybe Dick Channey or Bush ?
the reason they want to kill us is we will not stay home and out of their lives. America go HOME!!!
Why would this surprise anyone..The US has been involved or directly responsible for the overthrow of many governments in its short but violent existence...This being the second time involving Syria..Its ironic how the CIA was instrumental in the overthrow of democratically elected governments in Syria, Iran and Iraq in the late 40s and mid 50s in favor of repressives regimes that followed yet today we want to spread Democracy and Freedom throught the world . Yet we dont confine are Meddling to the Middle East, we cant forget about Cuba and Guatemala and Nicaragua...Point being is this isnt the first nor will it be the last time the US will force change and alter history to benefit its own "Agenda"
It's all about the $$
Love how people who have no idea what being poor is like get to represent them .......... always.
How dare Assad....POMPUS Obama is really going to let lose "Al-Qaeda" on the Children of Syria now!
Wait a second I forget he already has didn't you see the "Video"?
Hahaha you people who still support "Mass Murderer Barry" are nothing but "Racists" "Hypocrites" and "Moral Degenerates"!
Anybody but a proven "Al-Qaeda" supporter in 2012!!!
Assad can still win this civil war easily if he has the guts to use bio-chemical weapons to seal the border with Turkey and Irag cutting the rebel supply line and poison all water sources with cyanide. The bankrupped western world can only give some lip-service to the rebel. Since bio-chemical weapons were banned along time ago, I think that no country (except Israel) has enough gears to protect more than a few thousand person against such attack; therefore, no one will directly attack Syria once these weapons are deployed.
So we have Iran supporting Assad and reports of Al-Qaida militants supporting the rebels. No place in this fight for the US. Whoever wins, we lose.
The cancer in the middle east seems to be spreading, but who is the real victim?
Just try to remember you mindless twits, all of the 911 terrorists were Sunni Muslims.
Al Qaeda is made up of Sunni Muslims.
All of the suicide bombers past and present were Sunni Muslims.
What is with this stupid hate for a few Persian and Syrian Shiite Muslims.
Hillary is not Bill, she is a useless, mindless twit.
Al-Qaida joining the rebels, Iran backing Assad. This is getting pretty interesting.
And don't forget POMPUS Obama's "Secret" support for the same Al-Qaeda in Syria & Libya that "committed" the New York City, London, & Madrid Terrorist Attacks that has cost US Thousands of lives and Trillions of dollars!
After at least 5 new "Not Wars" for Corporate Fun & Profit with another of the way (Iran) and Broken Promises Barry's on-going Bailout of his Wall Street Bankster Buddies how could anyone still support this proven Mass Murderer?
Anybody but a "Al-Qaeda" supporter in 2012!!!
The Iranians are useless to Assad. They have not stepped in in any meaningful way to come to his aid. And, the minute they make any significant military support move, Assad and the Iranians will wish they never knew each other, because they will be immediately attacked by forces much greater than the rebels now attacking Assad. It will also trigger a direct attack on Iran which will, no doubt, also include preemptive strikes on their nuclear weapons program sites.
Khamenei and Ahmadinejad, this message is for you, if you want to continue to be alive stay out of Syria and stop your nuke program immediately.