Al-Azhar Calls Syria Violence an 'Arab, Islamic Tragedy'

The top Sunni Muslim authority on Monday called on Syrian authorities to immediately end" the bloodshed, saying that the crackdown on protesters is a "tragedy" that has gone too far.

"Al-Azhar was patient for a long time and avoided talking about the situation in Syria because of its sensitive nature ... but the situation has gone too far and there is no other solution but to put an end to this Arab and Islamic tragedy," the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, said in a statement.

Al-Azhar "asks Syrian leaders to work immediately to end the bloodshed and to respond favorably to the legitimate demands of the Syrian masses," said the statement carried by the official Egyptian news agency MENA.

"The vast repression, the use of the highest levels of violence, arrests and intimidation represent an unacceptable human tragedy," the statement added.

The criticism from the Cairo-based Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's top center of religious learning, came as Arab heavyweight Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Syria for consultations, a move emulated by Kuwait and Bahrain.

On Sunday the Egypt-based Arab League issued its first official statement on Syria, urging the government to immediately stop its deadly crackdown of nearly five months of pro-democracy protests.

Growing Arab concerns over the unrest comes on top of mounting international condemnation of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has defended his crackdown on "outlaws."

"To deal with outlaws who cut off roads, seal towns and terrorize residents is a duty of the state which must defend security and protect the lives of civilians," state news agency SANA quoted Assad as saying on Sunday.

Kuwait and Bahrain on Monday recalled their ambassadors from Damascus for consultations, following the example of Arab heavyweight Saudi Arabia.

"Bahrain is recalling its ambassador in Damascus for consultation, and has called for a resort to reason," Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, said in a brief statement on Twitter.

Earlier on Monday, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed al-Sabah told reporters: "We have decided to recall our ambassador from Syria for consultations."

"No one can accept the bloodshed in Syria ... The military option must be halted," said Sheikh Mohammed.

He also announced that the foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states will meet shortly to discuss developments in Syria.

"There will be a meeting for the GCC foreign ministers soon and a joint GCC move to discuss the issues related to Syria," he said.

Saudi King Abdullah late on Sunday strongly condemned the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Syria and recalled Riyadh's ambassador from Damascus.

Meanwhile the European Union was mulling new sanctions against Syrian individuals and businesses linked to the crackdown, EU diplomats said.

EU sanctions involving asset freezes and visa bans already target 38 people and businesses, and new measures would include an embargo on arms and equipment used for internal repression.

The United States has also imposed sanctions on Syria.

Last week the U.N. Security Council adopted a non-binding statement condemning the violence.