قطر قد تنسحب من اللجنة الوزارية العربية
Qatar may withdraw from the Arab Ministerial Committee
http://www.aksalser.com/index.php?page=view_news&id=a8c36c3384663512e07c9a3a21aa939f&ar=487743610
Wednesday - October 19 - 2011 - 9:28:45
The Secretary of the League of Arab States, Dr. Nabil el-Arabi, Qatar may withdraw from the Arab Ministerial Committee on the Syrian government to communicate, to start a national dialogue under the auspices of Syrian Arab League and in the direction of political reforms to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.
al-Arabi said in his statements to the press that he had received a promise from the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim it will matter to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to discuss the possibility of an apology for the presidency of Qatar, the Arab Ministerial Committee.
The Secretary-General to the Prime Minister of Qatar, told him he was not holding under the chairmanship of the Committee and will discuss with the Emir of Qatar in Doha is the withdrawal of or apology for the presidency if that would help facilitate the mission and reduce the sensitivities of Damascus and reservations.
It should be noted that the representative of Syria to the Arab League Ambassador Ahmed Yousef criticized in his speech to the Council of the League of Arab Ministers, especially the GCC countries, and suggested to link the emergency meeting of Arab ministers failed to pass a resolution in the Security Council on the situation in his country.
مباحثات سورية لبنانية لتعزيز العلاقات الاقتصادية بين البلدين
Economy Minister, Lebanese Ambassador Discuss Enhancing Economic Relations
http://www.sana.sy/ara/4/2011/10/19/376491.htm
http://www.sana.sy/eng/24/2011/10/19/376495.htm
Oct 19, 2011
Reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Nidal Shaar and Minister of Economy and Trade today with Michel Khoury, Lebanon's Ambassador to Damascus ways to strengthen economic and trade relations between Syria and Lebanon, including brother will reflect positively on the economic and trade between the two countries.
The minister said Shaar on the desire to develop economic cooperation between Syria and Lebanon in the framework of historical ties and common economic fundamentals and integrated business between them.
In turn, noted the Ambassador Khoury large capacity of the Syrian economy, including the attributes of the physical and human elements in the fields of trade, banking, cultural, tourist and other stressing the need for coordination and cooperation between the two countries in economic, trade and investment which reflects positively on the two economies.
رسالة من الرئيس الأسد للرئيس السوداني تتعلق بأهمية علاقات البلدين والأوضاع في سورية.. الرئيس البشير: سورية تتعرض لمؤامرة خارجية وإضعافها خدمة مجانية لأعداء الأمة
Message from the President al-Assad to the Sudanese President regarding the importance of bilateral relations and the situation in Syria .. President Al-Bashir: Syria is under a foreign plot and weaken the free service to the nation's enemies
http://www.sana.sy/ara/3/2011/10/19/376648.htm
October 19, 2011
Khartoum - SANA
Received Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir a message from President Bashar al-Assad regarding the importance of relations between Syria and Sudan and the need for them in various fields and Syria's support for the territorial integrity and the people of Sudan Add to explain about the conditions experienced by Syria moved Dr. Faisal Miqdad Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants during a meeting between Sudanese President in Khartoum today.
President Al-Bashir stressed that the Syrian-Sudanese relations have maintained a constant evolution in the interests of the two peoples and two countries and said that Syria is exposed to a foreign plot because of its consistent position on Arab issues and that any weakening of Syria is a free service to the enemies of the Arab nation.
President Bashir explained that plots planned by some departments do not target Arab countries, in itself, but it is targeting all the Arab countries, stressing that Sudan is standing with the security and stability of Syria and against any foreign interference in its internal affairs.
The Sudanese president stressed the importance of Arab solidarity that ensures the interests of all the Arab countries about the challenges they face.
And Dr. Miqdad During the meeting a presentation about the American attack on Syria and the West, stressing that Syria has put behind her a lot of elements of the crisis thanks to its people's awareness of the objectives of the conspiracy exposed.
Dealt with in detail by Dr. Miqdad political and economic reforms and social and carried out by the Syrian leadership in line with the future of Syria and the aspirations of their constituencies and to maintain the independence and sovereignty and not to allow foreign interference in its internal affairs.
Dr. Miqdad that each time step where the reforms a step forward was the onslaught of Western escalate against the support of the machine media to mislead the Arab public opinion and international level about what is happening in Syria in order to distort the facts and the formation of public opinion does not serve the reform process and helps to pass the conspiracies Thokha Western circles against Syria and its central role in the region and its home front in order to break up the real guarantee to meet the enemies of the Arab nation.
Meeting was attended by the Syrian ambassador in Sudan, Habib Ali Abbas.
روسيا : نترقب موقف دمشق من المبادرة العربية
Russia: we await the position of Damascus, the Arab initiative
http://www.aksalser.com/index.php?page=view_news&id=04f06e8d9526e1e94ba2bfaba15eb96d&ar=471703255
Thursday - October 20 - 2011 - 9:35:08
Russian Ambassador in Lebanon that Russia Alexander Saspkin evaluated positively initiatives of the League of Arab States to Syria, saying that the latter proposal is based on the principles of sound political, such as non-interference and external dialogue.
Saspkin called, in an interview the Syrian authorities to determine the position of the proposal.
Saspkin expressed his country's concern about the likelihood of escalation of the situation and the civil war in Syria, denying any fear of repercussions along the "Arab spring" to the "backyard" of his country.
He stressed the need to apply the rules of the program's stated reforms, calling for Assad to accelerate reforms.
The Russian ambassador said his country does not accept the slogan to topple the Syrian regime, saying that the most important remains the normalization of the situation in Syria and a fundamental reform.
He said: "We are against the parties who are asking the Syrian issue from the existence of the system, veto it or not," calling for reform and dialogue, regardless of the people, noting that the Syrian President is the same as talking about the nomination of the names of presidents in the future.
عمورة: سورية ترحب بأي جهد عربي مخلص للحفاظ على العمل العربي المشترك بما يصون مصالح الأمة
Ammourah: Syria welcomes any savior Arab effort to keep the joint Arab action to safeguard the interests of the nation
http://www.sana.sy/ara/2/2011/10/20/376671.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-10/20/c_131202820.htm
October 20, 2011
Damascus, (SANA) -
Abdel-Fattah Ammourah, Assistant Foreign Minister, said that Syria would welcome any Arab effort to keep the faithful of joint Arab action that protects the interests of the Arab nation.
The Ammourah said in a seminar held at the Damascus branch of the party this evening: that Syria welcomes the participation of representatives of Russia, China and South Africa, India and Brazil in the dialogue will take place on Syrian territory between all components of the people and society in Syria and from different directions, giving guarantees for all.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Syria occupies a geostrategically important people to be a major focus in solving all the problems of the region and therefore cannot be overcome and this is borne out by events, experiences, and history is known to be in the Syrian regime Arab nationalist secular was and still is the basic guarantor of all the components of the Syrian society is the home of the alphabet and the cradle of civilizations and cultures throughout history have demonstrated the efficacy of this system that maintained the national unity, security and stability.
The Ammourah that Syria since its independence maintained and still maintains the independence of its sovereign and national political and managed through the various stages to overcome all the plots and schemes that aimed to dismantle the national unity and seeking to discourage them from moving forward in maintaining the strengthening of the project pan-Arab nationalist in the face of the Zionist project in the region .
Ammourah made a brief explanation about the events in the foreign plot in Syria and experienced by referring to the awareness of the Syrian people, who foiled the plot through its national unity and rallying around the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad and his support for the reform process led.
In turn, Farah al-Muntaliq, Associate Minister of Education, said: The human being is the essential foundation for any process of evolutionary development, therefore, highlights the importance of developing education and education service to the community.
The absolute: The process of development in the inputs of the educational process in the resources provided by the state of school buildings and curriculum and teacher preparation and transmission of these inputs to the process of interactive procedural aims to reach the breeding generation active in the community.
Seminar was attended by Secretary of the Damascus branch of the party and popular events and a number of interested people and guests.
العربي: تلقيت اتصالاً من المعلم يبلغني فيه أن دمشق ستدرس قرار الجامعة العربية الأخير
al-Arabi: I received a call from al-Mu'allim informing me that the Damascus will study the Arab League's latest decision
http://www.aksalser.com/index.php?page=view_news&id=0ab3a96d9204113234a17bffb97cd266&ar=936442306
Thursday - October 20 - 2011 - 13:53:36
Dr. Nabil al-Arabi League Secretary General of Arab States that he had received a call from the Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu'allim told him that Damascus will study during which the Arab League resolution in spite of its reservation on it.
He pointed in an interview with the newspaper "An Nahar" Lebanese October 20 to the possibility of convening another meeting of the Arab League Council next week to discuss what can be done.
And approved the Arabs that the Arab League does not have the papers effect on the earth, and every possession is to condemn or denounce or condemn, and noted the Arab situation in Syria is totally unacceptable, and al-Arabi explained that the Syrian representative recorded reservation in the last ministerial meeting, and Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu'allim told him "they are despite their reservations would study the decision of the League."
On the issue of Yemeni considered to be different from the Syrian situation and that the efforts made and being made to address the crisis, and expressed his belief that the Gulf States are still enthusiastic about the initiative, but pointed out that the "problem" lies in a delay severe and marvelous in dealing with the proposals of the Gulf by President Ali Abdullah is valid.
سوريا ترحّب باللجنة الوزارية العربية برئاسة قطر في دمشق
Syria welcomed the Arab Ministerial Committee under the chairmanship of Qatar in Damascus
http://www.aksalser.com/index.php?page=view_news&id=073fd72c8bc9b683500aef44933cd8a2&ar=524998942
Thursday - October 20 - 2011 - 15:50:31
The Arab League confirmed in a statement, published today, Thursday, that the Syrian government welcomes the reception of the Ministerial Committee under the chairmanship of Qatar in Damascus on 26 October.
He added the statement that the purpose of the visit is to comply with the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Arab foreign ministers to stop the violence and the organization of national and comprehensive dialogue between the opposition and the government.
The Arab foreign ministers called on Sunday night in a statement issued at the end they held an emergency meeting in Cairo to hold a national dialogue involving the Government and the Syrian "opposition parties all the divides within 15 days," but that Syria was reserved for this statement.
The statement also called for "an immediate and comprehensive of the violence, murder and put an end to the manifestations of the armed and the abandonment of processing security in order to avoid more casualties and the drift to the outbreak of the conflict between the components of the Syrian people and to preserve the civil peace and the protection of civilians and the unity of the fabric of Syrian society."
Chinese FM, Arab League chief exchange views on Syria over phone
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-10/20/c_131203241.htm
English.news.cn 2011-10-20 23:30:59
COPENHAGEN, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi here on Thursday discussed the situation in Syria in a telephone conversation with Arab League (AL) chief.
"The concerned parties of Syria should put the national and people's interests first, abandon violence and avoid bloodshed, so as to restore stability and order to the country through dialogue," Yang told AL Secretary General Nabil el-Arabi.
"The Syria government should implement its promised reforms, and respond to the reasonable demands from the people. The opposition should also have peaceful dialogue with the government," Yang added.
Syria has witnessed massive anti-government protests across the country since mid-March 2011.
For his part, al-Arabi related the AL's position on the issue of Syria and appreciated the positive role played by China in this matter.
Yang said "China will continue playing its role, and China attaches great importance to the Arab League's role in regional peace and stability. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Arab League on these issues."
Yang was on a two-day visit to Denmark ending Thursday, during which he met Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and his Danish counterpart Villy Soevndal.
Franjieh: Hariri's Hatred towards Assad Stems from Sectarian Feelings
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/18081-franjieh-hariri-s-hatred-towards-assad-stems-from-sectarian-feelings
by Naharnet Newsdesk
20 October 2011, 22:39
Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh on Thursday announced his rejection of a possible rise to power by Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood, saying “I cannot accept those who believe that it is permissible to spill my blood.”
In an interview on LBC television, Franjieh revealed that ex-PM Saad Hariri had allegedly told him Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was “totally innocent” of his father’s 2005 assassination and that “the Iranians were behind the assassination” of former premier Rafik Hariri.
“That’s why I say that his (Saad Hariri’s) hatred towards Assad stems from sectarian feelings and that was demonstrated through his support for (ousted Egyptian leader) Hosni Mubarak and others,” Franjieh charged.
“The Hariri dynasty has been trying to dominate the country and impose pro-Sunni policies, but this is an impossible scheme,” he noted.
Asked about the possibility of Assad being ousted by the eight-month revolt rocking his nation, Franjieh said: “On a personal level, and given my ties with him, I would be losing a brother and a bet on a political alliance that dates back to (former) president (Suleiman) Franjieh’s era.”
“We respect the Syrian people, but aren’t the residents of Aleppo and Damascus part of this people?” he said, referring to the recent pro-Assad rallies in Syria’s largest two cities and economic powerhouses.
Franjieh added that Assad is being pressured in order to “give up his support for Hizbullah, Iran and the Palestinian cause.”
“Many people believe that Syria will be fragmented, but President Assad totally rejects such a hypothesis and he also rejects the stirring of sectarian sentiments,” the MP went on to say.
Addressing the domestic issues, Franjieh voiced his satisfaction with Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s performance.
“He is practicing his political centrism,” the Marada leader added.
Asked about Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil’s policies, Franjieh said the latter “has the right to discuss his projects in detail.”
“But he is tiresome and he has exhausted the country and the Lebanese,” Franjieh said of the energy minister.
“I’m not with tasking (Labor Minister) Charbel Nahhas with confronting Harirism, because his approach is Marxist and I don’t believe that it is valid,” Franjieh went on to say.
He also declared his rejection of a VAT hike “as it won’t solve the deficit problem.”
Asked about the controversial issue of funding the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Franjieh said: “We had deemed it unconstitutional since the very beginning.”
نحو «طائف».. سوري
About «Taif» .. Syrian
Walid Abu Murshid
http://www.aawsat.com/leader.asp?wrid=3
http://backupurl.com/yqtmx1
2011.10.21
Despite the short time (15 days) awarded by the Arab foreign ministers of the Syrian regime to reform the cessation of violence and ensure a peaceful transition of power ... Conference looks like the beginning of a long-term deal with the Arab «the Syrian case» may not end the process of transition of power, but also goes beyond the agreement «Taif» New (similar to b «Taif» Lebanese) reformulate pluralist system to Syria.
Signs of this trend can be discerned from the agreement and the Arab foreign ministers, during their meetings, consultative, to host the Arab League «for a dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition», and their willingness to send a ministerial committee to visit Syria, and held meetings with the government and the opposition, what constitutes the beginning of a serious commitment to «the Syrian case ».
It is interesting that avoids the Arab ministers, meeting in emergency Cairo, a proposal to freeze the membership of Syria in the Arab League - as demanded by the Syrian National Council - may mean that they prefer a gradual approach for the treatment of «the Syrian case» before reaching the last treatment ... «Ironing».
However, not without the recommendation of the Arab Foreign Ministers of the dimensions of the policy implications are hard to ignore. It may be highlighted not only their recognition of the existence of axes other than the Syrian government in Damascus - practically absent for the events - but equality of reference the opposition the government's authority to adopt needed reforms. In this context, the right of the National Council may consider that the Syrian Arab foreign ministers have become, after the Government of Russia, the official body recognized by the second, indirectly, by declaring their readiness to host the two dialogue sessions proposed between him and the Syrian regime.
The other phenomenon is revealed by the recommendations of the Arab foreign ministers are considering the phenomenon of the Syrian government and if they do not exist «formal», Inviting Dialogue limit the representativeness of the current under the category of groups of partisan feuding with the other party ... No less representative of the Syrian street, if not surpass them in popularity.
The political dimension of the other for the grace of Arab foreign ministers of the Syrian regime fifteen days only for direct dialogue with the opposition is classified as lining of the system in check systems inadequate political to the extent permitted minister ignored the sovereignty - shaky at all - at home, and thus uniqueness unilaterally put «Agenda» stop the of violence.
On this level may be the conclusion of the limited reaction to the recommendations of the Syrian Arab ministers on the most vulnerable forms of diplomatic objection, any «reservation» instead of «rejection», to evaluate the issue of Arab Ministers «sovereignty» Syrian regime against its people and its land not far from reality.
Significance remains to determine the future of foreign ministers and a brief period of time for direct action to stop the Syrian regime's violence, a period is not enough - if the traffic - to complete the preliminary contacts to prepare for the dialogue sessions.
Palace of this period to fifteen days only suggest two things, first, the sign of Arab Ministers, in advance, evade the Syrian regime of its recommendations, and secondly, the rush to move to the second phase of a scheme to deal with the «Syrian case» after having completed the duty of advice and guidance. And confirmation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim - in response to accusations of Syrian representative - that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) «not ride for the implementation of schemes West» reveals the awareness of the Arab Foreign Ministers of the effectiveness of what kept him from the leaves of pressure to address the «Syrian case» in the framework of Arab and spare Damascus risk «internationalization» crisis. If these papers begin to freeze the membership of Syria in the Arab League and the end to recognize the legitimate representative of the National Council for the Syrian people that does not absolve the segments of Syrian society of collective responsibility to reach a compromise formula for their political system ... Its predecessor, the most prominent Lebanese Taif Agreement.
Asharq Al-Awsat Talks to Iraqi FM Hoshyar Zebari
http://asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=3&id=27011
http://backupurl.com/1yuiun
20/10/2011
By Sawsan Abu-Husain
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has disclosed details of what went on at the latest consultative meeting of the Arab foreign ministers concerning the Syrian crisis and said "everyone tried without exception to give Damascus an opportunity for a solution through the Arab initiative but Syria rejected it and considered it interference in its internal affairs."
He asserted in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that the Arab countries rejected the imposition of sanctions on Syria and foreign intervention as well as freezing Damascus's Arab League's [AL] membership while providing an opportunity for the Arab initiative that is considered the basic wall for preventing interventions and said "if Damascus rejects the Arab solution's opportunity then matters will get out of control."
He also revealed his country's intervention to improve the atmospheres between Saudi Arabia and Iran following the Iranian attempt to assassinate Saudi Ambassador in Washington Adel Al-Jubeir and said "we tried to intercede with Iran but we failed" and expressed his expectation of Washington's insistence on its stand of escalation with Iran.
Following is the text of the interview:
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Some are expecting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad not to respond positively to the AL Council's resolution and also believe that the diplomatic solution in Syria has been overtaken by time in view of the opposition's rejection of dialogue and the continued violence by the regime. In your assessment, do you believe the AL statement is capable of dealing with the crisis?
[Zebari] The Arab foreign ministers held consultations before the official meeting and the aim was to activate the Arab stand and present solutions and initiatives for drawing up the right solution for what is happening in Syria. It was not right for the world to talk about the tragic humanitarian conditions and difficult security while the Arab League remained without a stand. A long list of demands and proposals was presented at this meeting. But the others and we rejected three issues. The first was no to foreign intervention; the second was no to freezing Syria's membership because that step would not help the diplomatic efforts and Syria was a founder member of the AL; and the third was no imposition of sanctions on it. That was the Iraqi stand too. We talked about the importance of activating the Arab initiative and giving it another chance, particularly as events were quickening. From this premise, we agreed that what we proposed should be serious and credible, particularly as the Arab peoples and public opinion would not accept an AL resolution that is not firm. I can honestly say that all the Arab foreign ministers were concerned about Syria's security and unity and overcoming of this crisis or tribulation. But the starting point is the demand for the immediate stop to fighting.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] As this measure will lead to the immediate stop of any foreign intervention or abort any conspiracy against Syria?
[Zebari] Stopping the fighting will certainly stop intervention. A dialogue took place between the foreign ministers about the issue of the infighting and who was carrying it out in Syria. In any case, the principle is the immediate stop of fighting. We also talked about the importance of an Arab ministerial committee to follow up as well as an attempt to hold a real national dialogue between the opposition inside and outside the country and the Syrian Government. We proposed to have this dialogue held at the AL headquarters since it is the house of the Arabs and a neutral side that has no private interest. We care about both the Syrian Government and the Syrian people. We mentioned that Iraq had in the past the experiment of national dialogue that was hosted by the AL and whose results were positive. We also mentioned that several dialogues were achieved outside the concerned country, such as the Doha agreement for Lebanon that was done outside it, Al-Taif accord, and Al- Fashir one about Sudan and so on. Hence the idea of holding a national dialogue inside Syria is a difficult one to implement at present because there are parties or forces whose participation might not be guaranteed. The AL secretary general was therefore given this task of making contacts and achieving the convocation of the dialogue within two weeks from the issuance of the resolution. The other point in the AL's resolution is that there is an opportunity and we are expecting the Syrian side to respond positively to it. But if this does not happen, then we will think of other measures.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] And what are these other measures?
[Zebari] Several measures were proposed which we rejected, such as freezing membership, foreign intervention, and the imposition of sanctions. The countries will discuss other measures that will help Syria's stability and unity without using the three alternatives we rejected. We believe what was proposed at the extraordinary meeting was beneficial and serves Syria and the opposition. If this is not achieved, then matters will get out of control. This opinion was presented to the Syrian delegation very clearly and frankly because US and Western pressures on Syria are increasing. We therefore proposed an initiative to be an opportunity before Syria for overcoming these pressures. But the Syrian stand was clear. It rejected and expressed reservations about the AL statement and even rejected the Arab initiative idea.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Does Damascus consider the Arab initiative interference in its internal affairs?
[Zebari] Yes. Syria considers it interference in its internal affairs. The Syrian delegation was given full freedom to express its stand. I believe the ministerial meeting, whether the official or consultative one, was good and constructive.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Did the ministers discuss other issues such as the Iranian dossier?
[Zebari] No. The discussions were about Syria only.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you not believe that the situation in Syria and the region is very dangerous and that what the Arab foreign ministers did has been overtaken by events?
[Zebari] The situation is certainly getting more complicated daily in view of the continuing shedding of blood, use of violence, and daily clashes. All this is causing us concern about what these events will lead to.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Can Iraq intercede with Iran to stop the escalation which it is carrying out at present against Saudi Arabia and the Gulf on the basis of the unique relations between Tehran and Baghdad?
[Zebari] I do not see at present any prospect for such a role. We did in fact try but did not succeed for several reasons which I do not want to go into them. But there is definitely escalation between Iran and the United States, especially following the recent information about the attempt to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington. We are really following this issue and demanding information. But the Iranian side is refusing to give any information. The second thing is the accusation of the intention to do something and I mean that no real murder happened. I believe the issue is complicated and a large part of it is pertains to security and intelligence information that might be doubted here and there. But the US stand is adhering to its stand on this matter.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] But this issue has repercussions for Iraq and all the region's countries?
[Zebari] It certainly has repercussion for us because we are at the forefront of the storm.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What advice did you give Iran?
[Zebari] We did not really hold direct talks with them about this issue but talked to the US side, expressed our view, and asked several questions. The issue is still in its beginning and we do not have a specific stand apart from what the AL announced at the meeting held at the envoys' level. In my view, this issue is going to have reactions.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What about AL Secretary General Nabil El-Arabi’s visit to Iraq?
[Zebari] I met him to arrange for this anticipated visit for consulting and communicating with the Iraqi Government and politicians, particularly the issue of holding the next Arab summit. We have few months for resolving this issue and therefore the visit is still on the table and will be made soon.
Gemayel urges guiding charter for the Arab Spring
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Oct-21/151831-gemayel-urges-guiding-charter-for-the-arab-spring.ashx
October 21, 2011 01:41 AM
By Wassim Mroueh
BEIRUT: The Arab League should produce a guiding charter to correct the “vague” and “dangerous” course of Arab uprisings and protect minorities, Kataeb (Phalange) Party leader Amin Gemayel said Thursday.
“We refuse that Christians in Egypt or any other Arab state pay the price of the struggle between the East and the West, between regimes and revolutions and between moderation and extremism,” Gemayel told a news conference to brief reporters on his recent visit to Egypt. The country saw deadly clashes between Coptic Christians and the Egyptian army earlier this month.
“The Christians of Lebanon and the East are not scapegoats for any side and the time has come to protect their presence” through legislation that treats them as equals, he said.
Gemayel urged the Arab League to lay down a charter by which revolutions commit to democracy and the respect of all components of Arab society.
“I proposed to the [Arab League] Secretary General that the Arab League hold a closed seminar embracing academicians and elites from various Arab countries to discuss these ideas and come up with the charter.”
During his stay in Egypt, Gemayel held talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim Bin Jaber al-Thani, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Amr, Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi, Coptic Pope Shenouda III and Sheikh Ahmad al-Tayeb, the head of Cairo’s Al-Azhar.
Gemayel warned that his visit to Egypt came as popular movements in the Arab world “are passing through a dangerous phase.”
“Not only because of the oppression of the regimes but because of vagueness which surrounds the course of these revolutions,” he added.
Asked whether Lebanon should recognize the opposition Syrian National Council, he declined to discuss the “particularities” of Syria. “There is no single party representing the opposition and revolutionaries in Syria, there are several sides inside and outside [Syria],” he said. “Let’s wait until the opposition has a unified stance … and wait for efforts made by the Arab League and in light of this we will have a stance.”
Gemayel said it was “natural” for Syrian Christians to be involved in their country’s uprising against President Bashar Assad.
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