Brussels, 17/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 16 February, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, by a large majority and despite opposition from Russia and China, a resolution condemning the repression of anti-government protestors by the Syrian regime. With 137 votes in favour, 12 against and 17 abstentions, the text, which has mainly symbolic value, demands that the Syrian regime bring its crackdown to an end. It recommends that a special UN envoy be appointed and supports the efforts being made by the Arab League.
The EU welcomed the General Assembly's resolution which had massive support in the UN, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton's spokesperson said. The resolution sends a clear signal of support to the Syrian people, condemning the activities of the regime and the violation of human rights, and calling for an immediate end to the violence, the spokesperson added, saying the resolution again called on the members of the Security Council to act responsibly at this crucial time. Britain's Foreign Minister William Hague said the text addressed to the Syrian regime was in no way ambiguous. His French counterpart, Alain Juppé, hoped everything would be done to ensure that the resolution is fully applied.
Support to the opposition.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron called on the Syrian opposition, on Friday 17 February, to get organised. Sarkozy explained: “We say to all those who want democracy in Syria: get organised, group together, tell us how we can help you and we shall help you more”. It is necessary to “reflect on what we can do to help the Syrian opposition to unite and to give a credible alternative”. Germany, for its part, is totally committed to stepping up European sanctions, the government spokesman said, although European diplomats had explained on Thursday that the EU planned to review its plans of further sanctions downward.
The main opposition force to the regime in Syria, the Syrian National Council, will not have an official representation at the conference of the Friends of Syria on 24 February, said Tunisia's Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem on Friday, underlining that the subject was a matter for debate. “Everything in its time”, he added, saying he wanted an opposition group that “has real representational value” to be formed. He confirmed that Russia and China were invited. On Friday, thousands of people hostile to the regime went out onto the streets throughout Syria, while the town of Homs was the target of the most violent bombing in the past two weeks, affirmed a member of the Syrian Revolution General Commission. (CG/transl.jl)