Syria snubs deadline set by Arab League
Source: Agencies |
November 26, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SYRIA yesterday ignored an Arab League deadline to allow hundreds of observers into the country, prompting the bloc to consider economic sanctions against Damascus over its eight-month crackdown on dissent.
The league had given Syria 24 hours to agree to the observer mission, but the deadline passed with no word from Damascus, according to Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmed Ben Heli.
The bloc was due to meet today to discuss sanctions that could include a freeze on financial dealings and assets.
Syria has been the scene of one of the deadliest crackdowns against region-wide protests that have been dubbed the Arab Spring. The United Nations claims more than 3,500 people have been killed. International pressure has been mounting on President Bashar Assad to stop the bloodshed.
Former ally Turkey - now a leading critic of Assad's government - said allowing the observers would be a "test of goodwill" for Syria.
Before the deadline passed, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "Today is a historic decision day for Syria. It must open its doors to observers."
Syria's state-run SANA news agency, however, has dismissed the ultimatum, declaring yesterday that the Arab League has become a "tool for foreign interference" and was serving a Western agenda to stir up trouble in the region.
Russia, China, India, Brazil and South Africa urged Syria to start talks with opposition parties and warned against foreign intervention without UN backing, ahead of an Arab League deadline to Damascus yesterday.
In statement after consultations in Moscow on Thursday, the five nations did not mention the threat of sanctions.
The meeting brought together deputy foreign ministers from Russia, China, Brazil, India and South Africa. Russia and China last month vetoed a Western-drafted UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria's government.
The statement "underscored that the only acceptable scenario for resolving the internal crisis in Syria is the immediate start of peaceful talks with the participation of all sides."
It added: "Any external intervention that does not correspond with the UN Charter must be ruled out."
The league had given Syria 24 hours to agree to the observer mission, but the deadline passed with no word from Damascus, according to Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmed Ben Heli.
The bloc was due to meet today to discuss sanctions that could include a freeze on financial dealings and assets.
Syria has been the scene of one of the deadliest crackdowns against region-wide protests that have been dubbed the Arab Spring. The United Nations claims more than 3,500 people have been killed. International pressure has been mounting on President Bashar Assad to stop the bloodshed.
Former ally Turkey - now a leading critic of Assad's government - said allowing the observers would be a "test of goodwill" for Syria.
Before the deadline passed, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "Today is a historic decision day for Syria. It must open its doors to observers."
Syria's state-run SANA news agency, however, has dismissed the ultimatum, declaring yesterday that the Arab League has become a "tool for foreign interference" and was serving a Western agenda to stir up trouble in the region.
Russia, China, India, Brazil and South Africa urged Syria to start talks with opposition parties and warned against foreign intervention without UN backing, ahead of an Arab League deadline to Damascus yesterday.
In statement after consultations in Moscow on Thursday, the five nations did not mention the threat of sanctions.
The meeting brought together deputy foreign ministers from Russia, China, Brazil, India and South Africa. Russia and China last month vetoed a Western-drafted UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria's government.
The statement "underscored that the only acceptable scenario for resolving the internal crisis in Syria is the immediate start of peaceful talks with the participation of all sides."
It added: "Any external intervention that does not correspond with the UN Charter must be ruled out."
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