McCain applauds Obama sanctions against Syria

WASHINGTON -- Arizona Sen. John McCain joined three other senators Wednesday in supporting President Barack Obama's decision to impose sanctions on Syrian leader Bashar al Assad and other top Syrian officials.

McCain signed the statement along with fellow Republicans Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida and Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

"We applaud President Obama for imposing sanctions on Bashar al Assad and other top Syrian officials," the senators' statement said. "The President's strong and principled action today should send an unmistakable message that the United States stands in solidarity with the brave protesters in Syria and that the Assad regime has lost legitimacy in our eyes.

"We urge our European allies and other partners around the world to work now with the United States in targeting Bashar al Assad with similar measures. We also hope the President will use the opportunity of his speech tomorrow (Thursday) to talk in detail about the situation in Syria, and make clear that it is time for Assad to go."

Obama plans to make a major speech about the Mideast on Thursday.