As international pressure continues to increase on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the regime has agreed “in principle” to let an observer mission into the country, but said that they were still studying the details.
The move is part of a proposed deal by the Arab League who suspended Syria earlier this week, making it only the third nation to have ever been suspended.
It comes as Germany, France and the UK tabled a UN resolution calling for an end to human rights violations in Syria and urging Damascus to implement an Arab League plan. The draft resolution was also, significantly, backed by four Arab countries; Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Morocco.
France’s Foreign Minister Alain Juppe also called for stronger action against the Syrian regime, after meeting with his Turkish counterpart earlier.
Saying that "the situation is no longer sustainable," Juppe told reporters,
Speaking on the latest proposed resolution, he also commented,
Meanwhile the Syrian opposition has continued to call on the international community to isolate President Assad’s regime.
Speaking in an interview, Wael Merza, secretary-general of the opposition Syrian National Council, said,
Speaking on the Arab League deal, Colonel As’ad of the Free Syrian Army, who claims to have “tens of thousands” of soldiers, said that,
The move is part of a proposed deal by the Arab League who suspended Syria earlier this week, making it only the third nation to have ever been suspended.
It comes as Germany, France and the UK tabled a UN resolution calling for an end to human rights violations in Syria and urging Damascus to implement an Arab League plan. The draft resolution was also, significantly, backed by four Arab countries; Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Morocco.
France’s Foreign Minister Alain Juppe also called for stronger action against the Syrian regime, after meeting with his Turkish counterpart earlier.
Saying that "the situation is no longer sustainable," Juppe told reporters,
"We have called on Assad to change but the regime did not want to know, which is not acceptable. We are ready to strengthen the sanctions."He went on to say that France believed Syria "was not willing to implement a reform programme and now it is too late".
Speaking on the latest proposed resolution, he also commented,
"It is not normal that the [United Nations] Security Council has not made any decision so far... I hope those blocking any resolution will be aware of the reality of the situation."China, who along with Russia blocked the last UN resolution on Syria, also began to signal their apprehension with Assad on Thursday, saying it was "highly concerned" by the rising violence.
Meanwhile the Syrian opposition has continued to call on the international community to isolate President Assad’s regime.
Speaking in an interview, Wael Merza, secretary-general of the opposition Syrian National Council, said,
“If the regime rejects the requests, it shows the world community and the Arab world that it is only trying to buy time. Then the file will be transferred to the international community, to the UN.”As the crackdown on protests continue, the Free Syrian Army has vowed to defend civilians.
Speaking on the Arab League deal, Colonel As’ad of the Free Syrian Army, who claims to have “tens of thousands” of soldiers, said that,
“We consider this initiative dead.
Let the government implement just one clause of the Arab League plan, and we will stand down."
"The Syrian people are not waiting for the decision of the Arab League or the international community.See our earlier post: Arab League issues ultimatum, as Free Syrian Army vows to defend protesters (Nov 2011)
They waited eight months and saw nothing but more and more blood."
