Arab League calls on Syria to end violence

The Arab League meets  in Cairo to discuss developments across the region The Arab League met yesterday in Cairo to discuss developments across the region. Arabs Today has obtained a document that details the meeting’s discussions, which showed that Syria was high on the meeting’s agenda.
Meeting just four days after the Arab League Secretary General, Nabil Al-Arabi’s much-anticipated visit to Damascus, the council remains highly concerned about the ongoing violence and increasing number of causalities in Syria.
The United Nations announced on Monday that the death toll in Syria had reached 2,600 people.
The committee discussed possible solutions to the crisis that would guarantee stability and security in Syria and avoid the need for foreign intervention. The council has agreed on four key points that the Syrian government must immediately address.
The first point calls for an end to the bloodshed in Syria and for Syrian civilians to be protected. The League calls on the Syrian government to urgently implement all of the points that were discussed in Saturday’s meeting between Al-Arabi and the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad.
The League secondly stressed that a comprehensive national dialogue must be established that includes representatives from all factions of the Syrian opposition so that the reform process can begin.
The third point calls for an immediate cease fire to prevent further violence.
And finally, the Arab League insists on sending a delegation to Syria to monitor events after a cease fire has been brokered.
The meeting also discussed developments in Yemen. The Yemeni Vice president, Ali Al-Mathna Hassan, explained recent developments, including the progress being made in organising the transfer of power from the besieged President Saleh.
The Arab ministers emphasised their support for Bahrain, and in particular King Hamad ben Isa Al-Khalifa’s decision to hold elections.
Iran was also discussed at length, with the Arab League highlighting the importance of maintaining strong relations with its neighbour. However, the League called on Iran to stop interfering in internal affairs and expressed deep concern over the continuing provocative statements made by Iran towards countries in the Gulf. The League considers the threats to be in breach of the principles of the charter of the United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Conference.
The council finally discussed developments in Sudan, following the establishment of the republic of South Sudan.
The League reviewed the political and humanitarian situation in the Darfur and the success of Arab mediation efforts in Qatar, which in collaboration with African efforts had produced the UN document for the Doha peace in Darfur.
The committee highlighted the importance of an ongoing Arab League role in Sudan, calling on the Secretariat to work with the Sudanese government and economic experts to strengthen the Sudanese economy and improve the security situation.