Syrian Regime 'Approaching Collapse', Says NATO Head

Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime is approaching collapse and he should take steps to begin talks on a political transition, NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday.

"I think the regime in Damascus is approaching collapse ... it is only a question of time," Rasmussen said, adding that Assad should "initiate a process that leads to the accommodation of the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people."

"I urge the regime to stop violence, to realize what the actual situation is," he said, as Moscow signaled for the first time that its long-time ally in Damascus could be losing a bloody conflict which has so far cost more than 42,000 lives.

His comments came amid a growing perception that the tide has turned, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov saying the rebels had made important gains after getting increased external support.

"As for preparing for victory by the opposition, this, of course, cannot be excluded," the ITAR-TASS news agency quoted Bogdanov as saying.

"You need to look the facts in the eyes -- the government regime is losing more and more control over a large part of the country's territory."

Asked if the reported use of Scud missiles was a sign of Assad's desperation, Rasmussen said he could not judge the motive but "the use of such indiscriminate weapons shows utter disregard for the lives of the Syrian people.

"It is reckless and I strongly condemn it," Rasmussen added.

The Scud, fired into Israel and Saudi Arabia by Iraq's Saddam Hussein during the 1991 Gulf War, can deliver a payload of 3,500 kilos (7,700 pounds) over a range of 200 kilometers (125 miles) or more, defense analysts say.

Karim Bitar, research director at the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), said the regime's use of Scuds was an indication it was bracing for a decisive battle.

"The battle for Damascus is about to begin and this battle could change the rules of the game," he said.