Syrian army withdraws tanks as monitors arrive

SYRIAN ARMY tanks and troops pulled back from flashpoint districts of the central city of Homs yesterday as a dozen Arab League monitors began their mission to end nine months of violence in the country.

The monitors’ presence imposed a ceasefire and the lifting of a siege on four neighbour- hoods in Homs, Syria’s third-largest city.

The observers met Homs provincial governor Ghassan Abdul-Aal before touring the restive districts of Bab Amr and Inshaat, which have seen fighting between loyalist troops and armed deserters in recent days.

Monitors, wearing bright orange vests, were urged by people in the streets to penetrate deep into these districts, view the situation, and speak to residents.

The pro-government Dunia television channel said the monitors also visited Bab Sebaa neighbourhood to assess “damage carried out by terrorist groups” and meet relatives of “martyrs”.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said thousands of protesters turned out to greet the mission and call for the removal of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Footage of a chanting, flag-waving throng in the central Sa’a (Clock) Square, a symbol of the city, was broadcast by satellite television channels.

The observatory said more protesters had congregated in other areas but could not march to the centre because security forces blocked their way and fired tear gas to disperse them.

The monitors have been granted free access to all areas.

Mission head Sudanese general Mustafa Dabi said the Syrian authorities are “co-operating very well and without any restrictions so far”. He said the first day of the mission had gone well and all sides were co-operative. The team stayed in Homs, where it will continue its investigations today.

Team members said they expected to be able to “move freely between hospitals, prisons, and detention centres all over Syria”. Muhammad Salem al-Kaaby, a monitor from the United Arab Emirates, said, “The element of surprise will be present. We will inform the Syrian side what areas we will visit on the same day so that there will be no room to direct monitors or change realities on the ground by either side.”

According to a senior league official on the logistics team, “The protocol [governing the mission] entails that Syrian security only escorts the monitors to the entrances of the city . . . any party on the ground has the right to contact the monitors.”

However, Burhan Ghalioun, leader of the Syrian National Council, an opposition coalition formed by exiles, argued that the monitors are “being held prisoner” by the regime, which is providing transport and security.

The Syria-based local co-ordination committees said 25 people were slain across Syria, seven in Homs, while Syria’s official news agency Sana reported that Syrian forces killed “several” men from an “armed terrorist” group seeking to infiltrate the northern Idlib province from Turkey.

Army defectors based in Turkey routinely cross into this area and mount attacks on troops. Sana also said a gas pipeline had been sabotaged west of Homs.

The monitors have been tasked with overseeing implementation of the league’s peace plan which calls for an end to violence from all sides, withdrawal of troops and, presumably, armed rebels from urban areas, release of prisoners, and the entry of foreign and Arab media.

Once these demands are met, the government and opposition are meant to engage in dialogue.

Monitor Jamal Barakat, from the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights, observed that Arab League secretary general Nabil al-Arabi had “emphasised the importance of neutrality, objectivity and transparency of our work”.