Syria supports its president in opposition to Arab League decision

PanARMENIAN.Net - This move of LAS, or rather those states that still remain in it, is puzzling, to say the least, especially because the chorus of Arab countries has been complemented not only by the U.S. and others, which is understandable, but also by Turkey. On the other hand, Turkey’s voice in this chorus is quite natural: Erdogan is struggling to bring his country into the top league of world politics. Here is the approach – if it doesn’t work with Europe, you should try with your neighbors. However, it then turns out that neither with the neighbors does it work. The leading characters in the LAS – Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – will hardly recognize Turkey competent to intervene in Arab affairs. In general, the position of the Arab League has dramatically changed after the “revolution” in Egypt. Before January 2011 the acknowledged leader of the Arab world was secular and moderate Egypt, which took into account the views of all the countries of the Organization, including the Gulf monarchies. But after the fall of Hosni Mubarak, Qatar and Saudi Arabia decided to take the reins in their hands. What came out of it can be seen on the model of Libya. Moreover, Saudi Arabia, professing Wahhabi Sunnism, is one of the most odious monarchies, and its position on human rights simply looks irrelevant. Let us agree that a country governed by Sharia laws cannot simply be civilized. But... it has oil; monarchies dictate the rules of game; human rights and “American” democracy are all right. Not for nothing did Barack Obama emphasize that the decision of LAS exposes the increasing diplomatic isolation of a regime that has systematically violated human rights and repressed peaceful protests.

Meanwhile, as reported by Turkish media, Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu is to attend the 4th summit of Turkish-Arab Forum to be held in Moroccan capital Rabat. Davutoglu will meet high level Moroccan officials and oversee the penning of several cooperation agreements between Turkish and Moroccan governments. The forum meeting will also discuss ways to improve cooperation between Turkey and the Arab League in political, economic, commercial and cultural areas and draw a road map for an action plan for 2012 and 2015. But the main item on the agenda will be the situation in Syria.

It’s quite noteworthy that the Syrians reacted to the LAS decision rather rapidly and justifiably. The government of Bashar al-Assad insists on convening an emergency summit of Arab States. However, according to observers, the Arab League step is unlikely to stop the violence in the country, where the number of victims, according to UN estimates, amounts to 3500 people. It should be noted that the UN data are based on information provided by the opposition, which artificially swells the number of victims. Or, at least, so it is claimed by Syrian officials. And as proof, thousands of pro-regime demonstrators across the country protested the Arab League’s vote to suspend Syria. The mob smashed the Saudi Arabia and Qatari embassies, which among the 18 countries out of 22 voted for suspending Syrian membership in the Arab League. About a thousand demonstrators armed with stones and bottles tried to storm the Turkish Embassy in Damascus. In Latakia, five thousand protesters attacked the Turkish consulate and burned down the Turkish flag. As a consequence, the Turkish authorities ordered the evacuation of several Turkish Embassy officers from Syria. Ambassador Omer Onhon and other leaders of the Turkish diplomatic mission still remain in Damascus. Turkey and Syria used to be partners, but situation has changed recently. In September, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan announced his support of Western sanctions against the Assad regime, which had started the campaign of “filthy anti-Turkish propaganda”. In addition, Erdogan made a show visit to the camp of Syrian refugees who had taken refuge from the turmoil on the Turkish territory. And now the Syrian oppositionists are going to establish a “government in exile” in Turkey.

Anyway, LAS leaves no hope for resolution of the “Syrian problem”, which actually does not exist. It intends to send 500 observers to Syria, who will have to make sure that Syrian authorities do not violate the rights of civilians. The delegation shall be made up of human rights groups, media and military observers. Arab League foreign ministers are due to meet in Rabat on Wednesday to discuss the crisis in Syria and the visit by the delegation for which no date has yet been set. It should be recalled that in countries of “victorious Arab spring”, things are not going the way desired by the authors of revolutions. Sharia governs in Tunisia, the military refuses to hand over power in Egypt. But the situation is worst in Libya - intertribal conflicts have already activated. And if we add to this also the new war between Turkey and the Kurds, it becomes obvious that peace in the Middle East is still a long-to-be desire.