Political unrest: Saudi pulls observers from Syria
Saudi Foreign Minister says move was being taken because Damascus had not kept its promises.
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
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