'No silver bullet' for situation in Syria -US

US: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday there is "no silver bullet" to fix what he called a tragic, complex situation in Syria, but renewed calls for the regime to relinquish power.

Speaking to members of the American-Turkish Council, Panetta said President Bashar al-Assad's forces had perpetrated "outrageous violence."

"From every angle the situation in Syria is enormously complex and tragic. There is no silver bullet," said Panetta, according to a prepared text of his speech. His remarks suggested the Pentagon chief and President Barack Obama's administration remained reluctant to back military intervention in Syria.

Panetta said Washington "will continue to work together with Turkey and the international community to bring pressure on Assad to step down, to bring about an orderly political transition in Damascus, and to bring an end to the Syrian people's suffering." Violence has intensified in Syria despite a truce that was supposed to take effect in April, with activists saying more than 14,100 people had been killed since Damascus launched a crackdown on protests in March last year.

Turkey has adopted an outspoken stance on the conflict in Syria, demanding Assad step down and hosting a strategy session on Syria for 16 countries.

The Pentagon chief also urged Turkey and Israel to restore strained ties.

"I believe it is very important for Turkey and Israel to find a way to come together and repair their relationship," he said, according to the prepared text. "Turkey and Israel have a long history of defense cooperation that has advanced both Turkish and Israeli security and broader regional stability. There is much to gain through cooperation and much to lose in its absence," he said. AFP