Washington, Rabi'I 17, 1434, Jan 29, 2013, SPA - The United States and its international partners have been “constantly hoping” that Russia will change its position on the situation in Syria and join them in increasing pressure on President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, the State Department said Monday. “There are a number of steps that Russia could take,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters. “It can firmly and publicly cut off the regime’s supply of Russian weapons, especially attack helicopters. It can cut off Assad’s circle of access to Russian banks. It can actively support a political transition and work with us on who can come next, who can keep the country united and take it on a democratic path.” --SPA 11:50 LOCAL TIME 08:50 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1073161