Outside pressure builds on Syria
Assad supporters took to the streets of Damascus on Sunday
Syria’s leadership is under mounting pressure from other Arab states to halt its continuing violent repression of pro-democracy protests.
The head of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, said the organisation was “studying mechanisms it could implement to protect civilians in Syria”.
He spoke after the League froze Syria’s membership, a move which sparked riots by Syrian government supporters.
France has joined the condemnation of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
It summoned the Syrian ambassador to Paris on Sunday to demand an explanation for attacks by Assad loyalists on its diplomatic missions in Syria following Saturday’s suspension.
Turkey has announced it was withdrawing non-essential diplomatic personnel and families of diplomatic staff after its own missions came under attack.
The Saudi and Qatari embassies were stormed during Saturday’s pro-Assad protests, and new mass rallies by loyalists were held on Sunday.
Meanwhile, opposition sources said the repression of dissent continued, with four people reportedly shot dead by security forces in the city of Hama on Sunday.
The UN says more than 3,500 people have died since the start of the protests in March while the Syrian authorities blame the violence on terrorists.
‘UN role’
Speaking on a visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli, the Arab League’s secretary general did not give details of what further action the organisation could take to protect Syrian civilians.
Arab League proposals
- End to violence and killing
- Access to Arab and international media
- Releasing prisoners recently detained
- Withdrawing all military equipment from Syrian cities
- Government-opposition dialogue within two weeks
Describing the 22-member League’s decision to suspend Syria as “historic”, Mr Arabi called for “international protection” for civilians as the League lacked the means to act alone.
“There is nothing wrong with going to the UN Security Council because it is the only organisation able to impose” such measures, he added.
The BBC’s Jon Leyne in Cairo says the Arab League’s aim now is to isolate Syria.
Eighteen member states of the League – which is chaired by Qatar – voted for the suspension of Syria, with Syria, Lebanon and Yemen voting against and Iraq abstaining.
The vote was taken after Syria appeared to ignore a League plan – which it had initially accepted – that would involve releasing prisoners, withdrawing security forces from the streets and beginning a dialogue with the opposition.
‘Tails of Obama’
Summoning the Syrian ambassador, the French foreign ministry said Saturday’s attacks on its own diplomatic missions and others’ were “an attempt to intimidate the international community after the Arab League’s courageous decision”.
“The Syrian regime is held entirely responsible for these excesses and will have to give an explanation,” it said.
Assad supporters took to the streets of Damascus on Sunday
A Turkish Airlines plane flew to Damascus early on Sunday to pick up Turkish diplomatic staff and families, but Ambassador Omer Onhon and other staff planned to stay on.
Mass rallies in support of Mr Assad took place in Damascus and other Syrian cities on Sunday.
“You Arab leaders are the tails of Obama,” read one banner seen by the Associated Press, accusing the Arab League of bowing to pressure from the US president.
The government called for an urgent Arab summit and invited Arab League officials to visit before its membership suspension takes effect on Wednesday.
“Syria demands an emergency Arab summit to address the crisis and its negative consequences in the Arab world,” state television reported.
In Hama, security forces are said to have opened fire after opposition activists began a counter-protest at a march in support of President Assad.
“They escaped into the alleyways but were followed, and four were killed,” one activist was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
The government has restricted foreign journalists from entering the country, making it difficult to confirm events on the ground.
- Syria’s anti-government protests, inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, first erupted in mid-March after the arrest of a group of teenagers who spray-painted a revolutionary slogan on a wall. The protests soon spread, and human rights activists and opposition groups say 1,700 people have died in the turmoil, while thousands more have been injured.
- Although the arrest of the teenagers in the southern city of Deraa first prompted people to take to the streets, unrest has since spread to other areas, including Hama, Homs, Latakia, Jisr al-Shughour and Baniyas. Demonstrators are demanding greater freedom, an end to corruption, and, increasingly, the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
- President Assad’s government has responded to the protests with overwhelming military force, sending tanks and troops into at least nine towns and cities. In Deraa and Homs – where protests have persisted ? amateur video footage shows tanks firing on unarmed protesters, while snipers have been seen shooting at residents venturing outside their homes.
- Some of the bloodiest events have taken place in the northern town of Jisr al-Shughour. In early June, officials claimed 120 security personnel were killed by armed gangs, however protesters said the dead were shot by troops for refusing to kill demonstrators. As the military moved to take control of the town, thousands fled to neighbouring Turkey, taking refuge in camps.
- Although the major cities of Damascus and Aleppo have seen pockets of unrest and some protests, it has not been widespread – due partly to a heavy security presence. There have been rallies in the capital – one with an enormous Syrian flag – in support of President Assad, who still receives the backing of many in Syria’s middle class, business elite and minority groups.
- The Assad family has been in power for 40 years, with Bashar al-Assad inheriting office in 2000. The president has opened up the economy, but has continued to jail critics and control the media. He is from the minority Alawite sect – an offshoot of Shia Islam ? but the country’s 20 million people are mainly Sunni. The biggest protests have been in Sunni-majority areas.
- Although the US and EU have condemned the violence and imposed sanctions, the UN Security Council has been unable to agree on a response. Some fear the country could descend into civil war if the government collapsed, while others believe chaos in Syria ? with its strategic location and its web of regional alliances – could destabilise the entire Middle East.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-15712876