Damascus puts last minute halt on Arab League secretary’s visit
Nabil al-Arab was due to present the Arab League initiative to resolve the crisis in the country to Assad. Unspecified "circumstances beyond our control" leads Syria to seek a delay on the eve of the visit.
Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Syrian government has asked Arab League Secretary, Nabil al-Arab, for a last minute delay to the visit by a delegation scheduled for today. The request is apparently motivated by "circumstances beyond our control," according to the official government news agency SANA, which adds that "the visit will take place as soon as conditions permit." Nabil al-Arabi was due to inform the Syrian government of an initiative prepared last month by 22 members of the Arab League to resolve the crisis in Syria.
The visit of Nabil al-Arab, accompanied by an impressive delegation, would have lasted only one day, and among other things, the League secretary was to ask President Bashar al-Assad for a real commitment to the reforms that he has often promised, as well as general elections within three years. At the time Damascus reacted harshly to the initiative saying that the document contains "an unacceptable language full of prejudices”. But international pressure is growing on Damascus, and the EU has announced that new sanctions are under consideration.
Meanwhile the leader of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, al-Riyadh Shaqfa, based outside the country, said he would not accept any agreement with Assad, the leader of "a criminal regime that kills its people." Al-Shaqfa added that "the rumours of a possible rapprochement between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Assad regime brought about by Turkey with the blessing of the United States are false." According to activists anti-Assad protests and clashes continue, especially at Homs.
Meanwhile, although in several cities demonstrations and clashes with the army are reported, the situation in Damascus according to observers is totally calm, and life in the capital seems on the surface completely normal.
The visit of Nabil al-Arab, accompanied by an impressive delegation, would have lasted only one day, and among other things, the League secretary was to ask President Bashar al-Assad for a real commitment to the reforms that he has often promised, as well as general elections within three years. At the time Damascus reacted harshly to the initiative saying that the document contains "an unacceptable language full of prejudices”. But international pressure is growing on Damascus, and the EU has announced that new sanctions are under consideration.
Meanwhile the leader of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, al-Riyadh Shaqfa, based outside the country, said he would not accept any agreement with Assad, the leader of "a criminal regime that kills its people." Al-Shaqfa added that "the rumours of a possible rapprochement between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Assad regime brought about by Turkey with the blessing of the United States are false." According to activists anti-Assad protests and clashes continue, especially at Homs.
Meanwhile, although in several cities demonstrations and clashes with the army are reported, the situation in Damascus according to observers is totally calm, and life in the capital seems on the surface completely normal.
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