The President spoke with President Karzai of Afghanistan, Prime Minister, Monti of Italy, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar, President Putin of Russia, and President Rajoy of Spain.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Top politicians are also attending, among them the boss of the World Trade Organisation, Supachai Panitchpakdi, presidents Vicente Fox of Mexico and Johannes Rau of Germany, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

BBC: Economic gloom at Davos forum

His comments contrasted with those of Jordan's King Abdullah II, who said Friday that al-Assad is not likely to fall for months.

CNN: Al-Assad's grip on power "slipping away," Medvedev says