Political unrest: Saudi pulls observers from Syria

Saudi Foreign Minister says move was being taken because Damascus had not kept its promises.


Afp January 23, 2012

CAIRO:


Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it is to pull its observers from a widely criticised Arab League mission to Syria, as a panel recommended the body extend its observer mission to the unrest-swept country.


Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal said in Cairo that the move, which hints at sharp differences of opinion within the League’s ranks, was being taken because Damascus had not kept its promises.

Riyadh “is withdrawing from the mission because the Syrian government has not respected any of the clauses” in the Arab plan aimed at ending the crisis, he said according to the text of a statement he made at a ministerial meeting.

Earlier, a League official confirmed after a panel met behind closed doors to hear a report on the mission that its recommendation would be an extension.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd,  2012

COMMENTS (4)

Abdul Majeed | 12 years ago | Reply

@j. von hettlingen: Domino-effect - can hurt Arab League members too as they have oppressed their populations in their own countries. AL need to decide which way they want to choose - as both lead to Arab Spring.

j. von hettlingen | 12 years ago | Reply

The Arab League is divided and split about what should be done with the crisis. On the one hand it announced to extend the controversial mission which is seen as weak and ineffectual, not to the displeasure of Assad and his loyalists. On the other hand there are loud voices from Saudi Arabia and Qatar that urged for international involvement to mount the pressure on Assad to step down. Of course he has no intention to do so and condemns the "flagrant interference" in Syria's domestic affairs. An implosion might be the best way to get rid of the regime. The protesters need to be united and patient. Let's hope for an unexpected factor that would trigger a domino-effect. Sometimes good things happen at random.

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