President Barack Obama and his government has been "shameful and disgraceful" in its response to the carnage in Syria, US Senator John McCain said Sunday, slamming Washington's inaction on the issue.

"The fact is that the United States has played no leadership role," McCain, a veteran senator and former Republican presidential candidate, told CBS television, referring to efforts to halt Damascus's crackdown on opposition.

"Fourteen thousand people have been massacred by (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad. The United States of America's performance so far has been shameful and disgraceful," said McCain.

"The president of the United States should be speaking out for the people of Syria," he added.

[Source: AFP]