WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is stepping up his criticism of Syria’s crackdown on protesters, charging that the Syrian president is “completely incapable and unwilling” to respond to what Obama calls the legitimate grievances of the Syrian people.

Dozens of people were reported killed Sunday as Syrian security forces escalated their response to protests against President Bashar Assad. In the city of Hama, a barrage of shelling and gunfire left bodies scattered in the streets.

Obama issued a statement Sunday saying he is “appalled” by the violence and brutality the Syrian government has aimed at its own people. He calls the reports from Hama “horrifying” and says they demonstrate the true character of the Syrian regime.

Obama says the U.S. will continue to increase pressure on the Syrian regime.

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