White House admits Syria strategy not working

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - The White House says it may be time for the world to "admit defeat" in its current approach to violence in Syria.

It's the clearest statement yet the Obama administration sees little hope for a ceasefire brokered by U.N.-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan.

"If the regime's intransigence continues the international community is going to have to admit defeat and work to address the serious threat to peace and stability being perpetrated by the Assad regime," said White House press secretary Jay Carney.

Syrian forces are violating the ceasefire, but so far, other nations that back it have been unwilling to say it is dead.

Carney said that if the Syrian regime keeps flouting the ceasefire, the United States and other nations should try other measures to pressure Syrian President Bashar Assad.

He said that would include a return to the United Nations Security Council.

The White House press secretary added that while the administration continues to hope that the Annan plan succeeds "it is clear and we will not deny that the plan has not been succeeding thus far."

The U.S. is not considering a military intervention in Syria now.

In response to an overnight raid on a peaceful student protest in Aleppo that was met with gunfire, beatings, and scores of arrests, Carney said that the violence points to the urgent need for a political transition.

He said Assad's regime has made no effort to take the necessary steps to implement a full cease fire.