Arab League 'Optimistic' Syria to Sign Observers Deal by Monday‎

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The Arab League is "optimistic" that by Monday Syria will sign a proposal to send an observer mission to the unrest-hit country, the Omani minister responsible for foreign affairs said Sunday, as Qatar’s premier said "we have received information stating that he (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad) will sign the protocol."

"We'll see if it's true," Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, who chairs an Arab League taskforce on Syria, added.

Sheikh Hamad said replacing Assad was not the Arab League's concern.

"Assad's resignation or changing the regime involves the people of Syria. What is most important is putting an end to violence and killing, releasing prisoners, and allowing media into the country to uncover the truth", he said.

"What's important is that he (Assad) reconciles with his people," said Sheikh Hamad.

Meanwhile, Oman's Youssef bin Alawi told reporters in Riyadh: "We are optimistic that Syria will join the Arab League and sign the protocol within the next 24 hours."

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem is due to hold a news conference on Monday on the crisis engulfing his country.

The 22-member Arab bloc has been trying to persuade Damascus to accept observers to monitor the situation as part of a plan to end the bloodshed.

On November 27, the Arab bloc approved a raft of sanctions against Syria for failing to heed an ultimatum to admit observers.

Earlier this month Syria finally said it would allow the mission, but laid down a number of conditions, including the lifting of sanctions.

Alawi said the Arab League will meet on Wednesday to discuss Syria.

"If it doesn't sign we will take decisions," he added without elaborating.

Sheikh Hamad said on Saturday that the meeting will be held in Cairo and accused Damascus of stalling on the Arab League proposal.

He warned that the League would take Syria to the U.N. Security Council if it persisted in refusing to admit observers to monitor the protection of civilians.

Iraq, Syria's neighbor, is also taking steps to help mediate a solution.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the government crackdown on pro-democracy protests which erupted in mid-March.

Comments 4
Default-user-icon Gabby (Guest) 18 December 2011, 17:41

The only way they will accept observers is because of pressure from Russia. This means Russia fully or partially sold Syria. Bye Bye Syria, with observers Damascus will erupt in protests

Missing realist 18 December 2011, 19:48

Gabby, don't be so optimistic, things aren't as simple as you think. The stupid regime, who can not comprehend the dramatic changes in the world around it, is just using this step as an additional attempt to buy more time in hoping to crush the protests. They will let the "observers" sink in the details and make life very difficult for them when they are trying to "observe". Of course the observers at some point will be fed up and will report their frustrations to their superiors. All this assuming impartial observers, which by the way i think they are given the amount of hatred and opposition the regime has for them (they probably know every name). In summary, this will delay UN action for another month give or take. Either way, this is another victory for the opposition but more innocent blood will be spilled. The regime can only delay the inevitable end, its demise. I think there will be lots of revenges after the fall of Assad. Cvil war in mixed areas cant be averted.

Default-user-icon Le PheneChien (Guest) 19 December 2011, 01:13

Now is the time to leave Syria before you become labeled with or against the terrorist regime. Civil war is imminent because the regime for 50 yrs has suppressed freedom and eliminated any voice against it the "Tueni,Gemayel,Hawi,Chidiac,Murr and etc.." way.

Default-user-icon Gabby (Guest) 19 December 2011, 06:08

Realist, you are probably correct. Anything they can do to delay and confound observers being in the country will most definitely occur.

On a good note Russia was just miraculously admitted to the WTO. This could be part of the pay off for selling Syria which has become a very hot political potato for Russia. The Russian proposal on Syria will meet the Arab League proposal in the UN on Wednesday. Hopefully something good will come of it.

No question all the delays will cost many more innocent lives in Syria.