Brussels, 02/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU heads of state and government warned on Friday 2 March that the Syrian regime will be held to account for its actions. “The European Council remains determined to ensure that those responsible for the atrocities being committed in Syria are held accountable for their actions and will coordinate closely with and assist those working to document these appalling crimes”, stated European Council President Herman Van Rompuy. The day will come, no matter how long it takes, when this despicable regime will have to answer for its actions, promised UK Prime Minister David Cameron. “Globalisation … brings the certainty that sooner or later dictators will have to account for their deeds”, added French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The Council demanded that the Syrian authorities “immediately stop the massive violence and human rights abuses inflicted to the civilian population” and said that it would further increase the pressure on the Syrian regime as long as the violence and human rights abuses continue, calling on the Council to prepare further targeted restrictive measures against the regime.
The Council reiterated the importance of “full and unhindered access for independent humanitarian agencies” and said the EU stands ready to increase humanitarian aid “as soon as conditions on the ground will allow humanitarian organisations to expand relief operations”.
Supporting the Syrian opposition, EU leaders called on it to unite and recognised the Syrian National Council as a legitimate representative of Syrians. “We will not do anything, directly or indirectly, until the Security Council establishes, in a resolution, the legal conditions for further involvement - supply of arms for the uprising, humanitarian areas and corridors”, Sarkozy said.
Member states did not agree, however, about maintaining a presence in Syria. France and the UK announced that they were closing their embassies. Belgium is expected to follow suit before the end of the month. Others, including Cyprus and Romania, were more sceptical. (CG with EH, SP/transl.rt)