Syrians protest over suspension from league

HUNDREDS OF thousands of Syrians thronged the central squares of cities across the country yesterday to denounce the Arab League’s decision to suspend the country’s membership as Turkey sent planes to evacuate diplomatic staff and their families after a night of attacks on embassies.

The government called for an emergency Arab summit to discuss the situation, and invited league diplomatic and military observers to monitor implementation of its peace plan.

The league asked Arab governments to withdraw ambassadors from Damascus and invited opposition groupings to a meeting to agree on a transition plan.

On Saturday, it gave Syria four days to carry out the terms of the November 2nd agreement or face suspension of the Syrian delegation’s activities in the organisation; economic and political sanctions; and referral to the UN Security Council. The resolution was adopted by 18 of 22 members while Lebanon, Yemen and Syria voted against and Iraq abstained.

The government branded the league decision as “illegal” and a mandate for foreign intervention. The violence continued yesterday, with activists reporting that 23 people were killed, 11 in Hama during an anti-government rally.

In Damascus, students, teachers, civil servants and other professionals flocked to a rally called by the ruling Baath Party. They gathered beneath a sea of flags at the square near the central bank to demonstrate support for the government.

“Freedom and Bashar,” they shouted, clapping. Ola Mathfouth, a young mother of four, said, “I expected such a resolution because the league was ordered by Israel and the US.”

Ahmad Hassan, a lawyer, claimed, “The decision will not solve anything.” Rafida Runaya, an English teacher, said, “No one has the right to interfere in our affairs. Only we can solve our problems.”

Several expressed concern that Syria could become unstable “like Egypt, Yemen and Libya”.

A league call to Syrian soldiers not to fire on compatriots was regarded as particularly dangerous by observers here who argued that no equivalent appeal had been made to army defectors and opposition gunmen.

League secretary general Nabil El-Arabi denied that the organisation intended to recognise the opposition as a government: “It’s a bit premature to discuss that.”

Nevertheless, Paris-based Syrian National Council spokeswoman Basma Kodmani said, “This gives strong legitimacy to our cause. We consider it a victory for the Syrian revolution.”

Louai Hussein, leader of the Syria-based Building the Syrian State faction, said league decisions were designed to internationalise the situation, demonstrating that the Arabs had failed to perform their regional role and confined themselves to issuing decisions.

He warned that differing approaches among opposition parties meant the Social Nationalist Party, favoured by the West and Turkey, would dominate.