Germany calls for Assad to stand trial at the Hague

Germany's foreign minister calls for Syrian President Assad to stand trial on charges of crimes against humanity. US Secretary of State Clinton continues talks in Turkey about the violence in the country.

Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has voiced his opposition to foreign military intervention in Syria, telling German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag, "It will only heighten problems and violence" in the country.

Westerwelle also called for Syrian President Bashar Assad to stand trial at the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"The best thing would be for Assad to appear [before the court]," he told the paper. Adding "if one can prevent fresh deaths by Assad's voluntary exit, legal proceedings for me would not have greater importance."

"This would certainly be against my sentiment for justice but the most important thing for me is to stop these deaths and ensure a democratic and peaceful future for Syria," he added.

Source: DW (12/08/2012): http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16161090,00.html