White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday President Obama is not considering a forceful overthrow of current Syrian leadership among its options to respond to the recent chemical attacks the government believes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad waged against his own people.
"The options that we are considering are not about regime change," Carney said. "They are about responding to the clear violation of an international standard that prohibits the use of chemical weapons."
Carney added that they support efforts within Syria to overthrow Assad and that Assad cannot remain in power as the country moves forward.
"We are also very much engaged in an effort to support the opposition in its struggle with the Assad regime as the Assad regime continues to try to massacre its own people in an effort to maintain power," Carney said. "It is our firm conviction that Syria's future cannot include Assad in power."