LONDON, Aug 3 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Friday welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution demanding all parties in Syria stop all forms of violence.

"The international community has demanded that the Syrian regime takes the first steps to end the ever increasing violence and has called for all parties to implement the United Nations' and Arab League's political transition plan," Hague said.

The resolution makes clear that there must be a "political solution" and "sustained international pressure on the regime to compel it to act first," the foreign secretary said.

"Assad must leave office. We will intensify our efforts over the coming weeks to help end the violence on this basis," he added.

The UN General Assembly resolution, penned by Saudi Arabia with support of other Arab nations, received 133 votes in favor, 12 against and 31 abstained earlier in the day.

After the third veto of a UN Security Council resolution on Syria in July, Hague denied that Britain will provide lethal support for the Syrian opposition, but added that "I don't rule out any options for the future."

However, he acknowledged that "the Syrian opposition are receiving arms - that's very evident from their ability to make military progress against a powerfully-equipped regime." Enditem

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