The international reactions to the 2011–2012 Syrian uprising concern the response of international bodies, foreign governments, non-governmental organisations and petroleum multinational corporations headquartered outside of Syria. Many Western governments have condemned Assad's response as overly heavy-handed and violent, while many Middle Eastern governments initially expressed support for Assad and the "security measures" his regime has taken, though as the death toll mounted especially in Hama they switched sides, often adopting the rhetoric of Western countries.
Contents |
Nabil Elaraby, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, called for an end to the violence on 7 August. He cited "growing concern and strong distress over the deteriorating security conditions in Syria due to escalating violence and military operations in Hama and Deir al-Zor and other areas of Syria" and said the government should "stop all acts of violence" at once. In a reference to the Syrian head of state's efforts to pacify protests, he added, "There is still a chance for the reforms that were announced by President Bashar al-Assad to be accomplished."[1] On 27 August, the Arab League voted to condemn the crackdown and call for an end to the violence. The next day, it said in a statement that it would dispatch Elaraby himself on an "urgent mission" to Syria in an endeavour to end the crisis.[2] After meeting with Assad on 10 September, Elaraby told reporters, "I heard from him an understanding of the situation and he showed me a series of measures taken by the Syrian government that focused on national dialogue." He did not offer details of the conversation, but said he and Assad had shared proposals for ending the violence.[3] In early November 2011 after negotiation the Arab League announced that the Syrian Government had agreed to end it's crackdown, remove troops, release prisoners, begin a dialog with it's citizens, and allow observers and journalists free movement.[4] To date Syria has not honored that agreement.[5]
On 12 November, the Arab League voted to suspend Syria from the organization if Al-Assad's government would not stop violence against protestors by 16 November, and invited Syria's opposition parties to join talks in the League's headquarters in Cairo. Syria, Lebanon and Yemen voted against the action, while Iraq abstained from the vote. The League also warned of possible sanctions against Syria.[6][7][8]
On 18 December, the Arab League threatened Syria with taking their Arab peace proposal to the UNSC. Reportedly a draft resolution by five Arab League members asking the UN Security Council to end the violence inside Syria will be introduced if the Syrian regime does not comply with the League's peace efforts within two weeks. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister and head of the Arab League ministerial committee admitted "if the Syrian crisis is not solved within two weeks, the matter would be beyond the control of Arab countries."[9] The Arab league will consider the plan to involve the UN on 21 December.[10]
At a summit on 10 September, the ALBA regional bloc expressed support for Assad and warned against an international military intervention in Syria.[11]
On 22 March, Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement which said that the European Union "strongly condemns the violent repression, including through the use of live ammunition, of peaceful protests in various locations across Syria".[12] Ashton reiterated the EU's condemnation on 31 July after military operations in the city of Hama resulted in at least 136 deaths.[13] Ashton said on 18 August, "The EU notes the complete loss of Bashar al-Assad's legitimacy in the eyes of the Syrian people and the necessity for him to step aside."[14]
In a 6 August joint statement of GCC governments, the Gulf grouping criticized "mounting violence and the excessive use of force which resulted in killing and wounding large numbers" and "express[ed] sorrow for the continuous bloodshed". The statement also affirmed the GCC's support for Syria's "security, stability, and unity", evidently a reference to the government's repeated accusations of outside interference.[15]
The 57-member OIC called for an immediate stop to the violent crackdown on 13 August.[16]
On 18 March, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the use of deadly force against protesters by the Syrian authorities as "unacceptable".[17] In a presidential statement on 3 August, the United Nations Security Council condemned "the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities". The statement, which did not threaten economic sanctions and lacked the full stature of a resolution, was disavowed by non-permanent Security Council member Lebanon.[15][18]
The French Foreign Ministry condemned the violence carried out against demonstrators, and called for political prisoners to be freed.[19] On 23 March, French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero called on Syria to carry out immediate political reforms.[20] In a joint statement co-signed by British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Nicolas Sarkozy called for Assad to step down on 18 August, citing his government's repeated failures to institute reforms or stop the violence in spite of statements by numerous countries and international bodies to do so. "We call on him to face the reality of the complete rejection of his regime by the Syrian people and to step aside in the best interests of Syria and the unity of its people," the statement read in part.[21][22]
The PRC Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu said on 24 May: "China believes that when it comes to properly handling the current Syrian situation, it is the correct direction and major approach to resolve the internal differences through political dialogue and maintain its national stability as well as the overall stability and security of the Middle East. The future of Syria should be independently decided by the Syrian people themselves free from external interference. We hope the international community continues to play a constructive role in this regard."[23] On the 4th of October, Russia and China vetoed a Western-drafted resolution which would have threatened the Syrian government with targeted sanctions if it continued military actions against protestors.[24] However in the days following their opposition on the UNSC to derail a 'Libyan intervention scenario', both Russia and China issued rare public admonishments of the Syrian Government separately expressing their desire for them to reform and respect the will of the Syrian people.[25]
On 6 April, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called al-Assad to voice support for the latter’s decision to make reforms in his country.[26]
On 28 April, Russian UN ambassador Alexandor Pankin warned against "taking sides" in Syria and other Arab countries, as "such approaches lead to a never-ending circle of violence.".[27] A number of Russian and other intellectuals affirmed that Russia would not tolerate any interference in Syria.[27] One reasons given for Russia's opposition to any action by the UN or other organizations in Syria was that it Russians fear it could turn into another Libya scenario (with the West intervening on the side of the rebels). Alexander Fionik, head Arab Studies Center at the Russian Institute of Oriental Studies, said that "Russia has seen what happened in Libya. It would be logical to assume that Russia's stance on Syria would be more clear-cut that that on Libya".[27] Another reason noted was Russia's close relations with the Syrian government, which was one of the few governments to back Russia's military intervention in Georgia in 2008. Russian Middle East analyst Alexander Shumlin wrote that "The fall of the Syrian regime will mean the disappearance of Russia's last partner in conducting Soviet-style policies in the Middle East whose essence in many ways boiled down to countering the United States".[27]
Russia has at various times used its UN Security council position to block resolutions that would harm the Syrian government (often in concert with China), including blocking a report on Iranian arm sales to Assad on May 12[28] and blocking the first[28] and second drafts of a Franco-British sponsored attempt to condemn the use of force by the Syrian government.[29] A council diplomat said, in the case of the first, that Russia objected to "the publication of the report as an official Security Council document", but another council diplomat stated that "It's obviously an attempt to protect (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad".[28] The report had apparently contained material incriminating both the leadership of Iran and Syria in matters related to the transmission of arms to militant groups.[28] In the case of the first and second drafts of the resolution sponsored by France, the UK, Germany, the US and Portugal and to condemn the Syrian government because it feared they could lead to an interpretation by Western countries that could allow for interference in Syrian affairs.[29] An interview in the government run-media outlet Voice of Russia stated that "What arouses concern is that in this resolution of Britain and France declares illegitimacy of the regime of Bashar Assad. That means that the approval of the resolution will make it possible for others countries to doubt the legitimacy of the regime on the base of this document."[29]
In response, the following Friday, loyalist diaspora Syrians in Lebanon rallied in front of the Russian and Chinese embassies in Lebanon to "express their gratitude for Russia and China’s support Damascus and [to reject] the conspiracies sought against Syria",[30] while, on the same Friday, protestors in Syria itself burned Russian flags and carried signs with anti-Russian slogans to show their anger at Russia's position, which they perceived as helping Assad [31]
On 2 June, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "It is not in the interests of anyone to send messages to the opposition in Syria or elsewhere that if you reject all reasonable offers we will come and help you as we did in Libya ... It's a very dangerous position." [32] Sergei Lavrov said furthermore that Russia opposes UN involvement because "the situation doesn't present a threat to international peace and security ... Syria is a very important country in the Middle East and destabilizing Syria would have repercussions far beyond its borders", and asserted that Assad had made attempts at major reform.[32]
In the later parts of the month of June, both the US and other Western governments[33] as well as Syrian protestors[31] prevailed upon Moscow to change its position, and finally a Syrian anti-government delegation visited Moscow and met with Russian envoy Mikhail Margelov, who after the meeting noted that "leaders come and go" and called for "an end to any and all forms of violence", which some interpreted to be a shift away from Assad, once a major ally, in foreign policy.[34] This was considered to be potentially hazardous for the Syrian regime (if Russia switched positions) given the Syrian government's reliance on Russia for weapons, and diplomatic and economic support in the past.[34]
On 19 July, President Dmitri Medvedev said he was working with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to find consensus for a strategy to persuade the Syrian government to abandon violence and begin a constructive dialogue with protesters. He did not threaten to use Russia's veto at the United Nations Security Council to oppose a resolution critical of the Syrian government, as Moscow has previously said it could do. Medvedev also said it was imperative that Syria not slide into civil war the way Libya has.[35]
Amid the siege of Hama, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a 1 August statement noting reports of deaths in the city and called the violence, including the killing of eight policemen alleged by the Syrian government, "unacceptable". The statement urged both the government and the opposition to "exercise maximum restraint".[36]
On August 3, Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin stated that Russia will not oppose a UN resolution condemning the violence in Syria as long as it does not include sanctions or other "pressures".[37] Al Jazeera reported that Russia had "softened the blow" to the Assad government by insisting successfully that the UN would make a statement rather than a resolution on the matter.[38] On the 23rd of August, the Russian delegation in the UN, along with those of China and Cuba, took to the floor to denounce a UN inquiry on human rights violations by the Assad government.[39] Vitaly Churkin stated that "We hope to see progress, we hope to see dialogue established in Syria...We think we should continue to work within the scope of that unified position." [40]
On the 26th of August, Reuters reported that according to UN envoys, the effort by the US, France, the UK, Germany and Portugal to impose UN sanctions on Syria was meeting "fierce resistance" from Russia and China, with Vitaly Churkin threatening to use Russia's veto power.[41] According to Reuters, the arms embargo included in the sanctions would prevent Russian firms (the main source of Syrian weaponry) from selling to Syria.[41] Russia proposed a second "rival" resolution for voting, described as "toothless" by Western diplomats, which did not include sanctions or other punitive measures, but rather urged Syria to speed up the process of its reforms.[41]
On the 4th of October, Russia and China vetoed a Western-drafted resolution which would have threatened the Syrian government with targeted sanctions if it continued military actions against protestors.[24] However in the days following their opposition on the UNSC to derail a 'Libyan intervention scenario', both Russia and China issued rare public admonishments of the Syrian Government separately expressing their desire for them to reform and respect the will of the Syrian people.[25]
On October 29 Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Russia's Federation Council, Mikhail Margelov said in an interview to RIA Novosti the position of the Arab League, which calls upon Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop killing civilians, is rather constructive and may lead to end of bloodshed in the country. Margelov also said that current power methods of the Syrian authorities hamper implementation of reforms, which seem inevitable.[42]
On the 1st of November, Sergei Lavrov said at a Russian-Gulf ministerial meeting that Russia would oppose the recent proposal for a no-fly zone in Syria as (in Russia's view) the no-fly zone in Libya had been used to "support one side in a civil war". Lavrov nonetheless argued, when asked if Russia was supporting the Assad government, that "we are not protecting any regime".[24]
In late November 2011, Pravada and Rueters announced that a naval flotilla led by the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov to its naval base in Tartus as a show of support for the al-Assad regime.[43][44] However, in an apparent contradiction, a Russian naval spokesman stated to the Izvestia daily that "The call of the Russian ships in Tartus should not be seen as a gesture towards what is going on in Syria," and "This was planned already in 2010 when there were no such events there. There has been active preparation and there is no need to cancel this," noting that the Admiral Kuznetsov would also be making port calls in Beirut, Genoa and Cyprus.[45]
On 15 December, Russia proposed a UN Security Council resolution condemning the violence "by all parties, including disproportionate use of force by Syrian authorities". The draft resolution also raises concern over "the illegal supply of weapons to the armed groups in Syria". Western diplomats referred to the proposed resolution as a basis for negotiations.[46]
On 24 March, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "We call on the government of Syria to respect their people's right to peaceful protest, and to take action about their legitimate grievances."[47] On 10 August, after Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari compared the protests in Syria to the actions of rioters in England, British Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mark Lyall Grant called the comparison "ludicrous", saying, "In the United Kingdom, you have a situation where the government is taking measured, proportionate, legal, transparent steps to ensure the rule of law for its citizens. In Syria, you have a situation where thousands of unarmed civilians are being attacked and many of them killed."[48] Prime Minister David Cameron, together with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, demanded Assad step down in an 18 August joint statement, which also condemned the crackdown and called for an end to violence.[21][22]
President Barack Obama's administration condemned the use of violence, stating: “The United States stands for a set of universal rights, including the freedom of expression and assembly, and believes that governments, including the Syrian government, must address the legitimate aspirations of their people."[49] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that it was unlikely the US would intervene in Syria, since the US Congress views al-Assad as "a reformer".[50][51] On 9 April, it was reported that Obama had said: "I strongly condemn the abhorrent violence committed against peaceful protesters by the Syrian government today and over the past few weeks. I also condemn any use of violence by protesters ... I call upon the Syrian authorities to refrain from any further violence against peaceful protesters ... Furthermore, the arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture of prisoners that has been reported must end now, and the free flow of information must be permitted so that there can be independent verification of events on the ground...Violence and detention are not the answer to the grievances of the Syrian people. It is time for the Syrian government to stop repressing its citizens, and to listen to the voices of the Syrian people calling for meaningful political and economic reforms."[52] On 18 May 2011, President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six other senior Syrian officials as a response to Syria's bloody crackdown on political protests. Additional sanctions were imposed by the Treasury Department against Syrian and Iranian intelligence services and commanders.[53]
Robert Stephen Ford, the US ambassador to Syria criticized the regime on the embassy's Facebook page, stating "On July 9, a 'mnhebak' group threw rocks at our embassy, causing some damage. They resorted to violence, unlike the people in Hama, who have stayed peaceful... and how ironic that the Syrian Government lets an anti-US demonstration proceed freely while their security thugs beat down olive branch-carrying peaceful protesters elsewhere."[54]
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned both the attacks and the incumbent regime, stating that al-Assad had "lost legitimacy," and that "President Assad is not indispensable and we have absolutely nothing invested in him remaining in power."[55]
On 31 July, responding to a pre-Ramadan crackdown that resulted in the bloodiest day of the uprising to date, President Obama issued a statement in which he sharply condemned the violence, warning that Assad was "on the wrong side of history and his people", and added, "Through his own actions, Bashar al-Assad is ensuring that he and his regime will be left in the past, and that the courageous Syrian people who have demonstrated in the streets will determine its future. Syria will be a better place when a democratic transition goes forward." While he did not explicitly say that his administration believes Assad should leave power, he said the US would step up its efforts on the international stage to "isolate the Assad government and stand with the Syrian people".[56]
The US government slapped a new round of economic sanctions on Syrian telecom companies and banks tied to Damascus on 10 August. The sanctions rendered US citizens unable to do business with the Commercial Bank of Syria, the Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank, or Syriatel, and the US-based assets of those companies were frozen.[57]
On 15 August, appearing on US late-night talk show The Colbert Report, US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said that testimonials from Syrian protesters as reported by Ford were shaping Washington's policies on Syria. "What [Ford] hears every day and what [the protesters] want from the United States is more leadership, political pressure, and sanctions, but very clearly no military intervention," she said.[58]
On August 16, media suggested that the Obama Administration was preparing to impose new energy sanctions against the Assad regime and officially call for regime change.[59]
In a written statement issued on 18 August, Obama said explicitly for the first time that Assad should resign: "The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way ... For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President Assad to step aside." He again condemned the violent crackdown, but reiterated that the US will not intervene in Syria's affairs beyond placing political and economic pressure on Assad to leave power. Both the E.U. and Canada joined U.S. calls for regime change.[60] He also issued an executive order that ‘blocks the property of the Syrian government, bans US persons from new investments in or exporting services to Syria, and bans US imports of, and other transactions or dealings in, Syrian-origin petroleum or petroleum products.’[61]
The same day, Clinton announced a full ban on imports of Syrian oil or petroleum products into the United States.[21]
On August 23, Reuters reported that US ambassador Robert Ford made a surprise tour of the town of Jassem, which had seen government crackdown after popular protests.[39] The Assad government denounced the visit as "inciting unrest" (which was denied by the US), and banned Western diplomats from departing from Damascus; the US embassy was also attacked by a pro-Assad mob which broke windows and sprayed graffiti.
On August 26, media reported that U.S. Central Intelligence Agency chief Leon Panetta traveled to Turkey in March 2011 to discuss Syrian regime change with his Turkish counterparts.[62]
On November 23, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus issued a call for American nationals to depart Syria "immediately while commercial transportation is available."[63][64]
On November 24, a Reuters news dispatch reported the U.S. Navy's Carrier Strike Group Two operating off the coast of Syria to monitor the ongoing Syrian uprising, with an unamed Western diplomat in the region noting: "It is probably routine movement. But it is going to put psychological pressure on the regime, and the Americans don’t mind that."[65]
The Egyptian government broke its silence over the uprising on 9 August, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr asserting that "reforms that are soaked in the blood of the martyrs who are dying daily are of no use" in an apparent criticism of the Syrian government's simultaneous promises of political concessions and use of force to suppress protesters. Amr said he feared the situation in Syria was "heading to the point of no return" and demanded an "immediate end to shootings". He also called upon Syrian authorities and citizens to come together in a national dialogue and bring an end to the crisis.[66]
On 15 August, while visiting Cairo, Egypt, high-ranking Iranian parliamentarian Alaeddin Boroujerdi condemned the actions of Syrian protesters, claiming they were American agents trying to destabilise Syria in order to benefit Israel.[67] On the same day, a report published in the British Daily Telegraph quoted an alleged defector from the Syrian secret police as saying Iranian soldiers, including snipers, were working alongside Syrian police, paramilitary, and military units fighting to put down the uprising.[68]
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in an interview with the Lebanese television news network Al-Manar on 25 August that the violence should end and "the people and government of Syria" should join in a national dialogue. "When there is a problem between the people and their leaders, they must sit down together to reach a solution, away from violence," Ahmadinejad said.[69] However, he told Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar on 26 August that he believed that any "interference of foreigners and domineering powers in the regional countries’ internal affairs would complicate the situation".[70]
Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi delivered the Iranian government's sharpest remarks to date on 27 August, saying the Syrian regime should respond to the people's "legitimate demands". However, Salehi also cautioned that a "power vacuum" in Syria could have "unprecedented repercussions" for the region.[71]
On 24 March, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman said: "The same principles, activities the Western world [has taken] in Libya ... I hope to see those regarding the Iranian regime and the Syrian regime."[72] Israel expressed concern that Assad will try to divert the attention from the uprising in Syria and try to provoke some border incidents with Israel in the Golan Heights, Lebanon or Gaza or even start a war with Israel in order to unite the Syrian people against Israel and to divert the media attention from the uprising in Syria.[73][74]
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah became the first Arab head of state to openly condemn the Syrian government over its response to the uprising in the early morning of 8 August, saying, "What is happening in Syria is not acceptable for Saudi Arabia." He warned Syria "will be pulled down into the depths of turmoil and loss" if it did not immediately move to enact major political reforms. He also announced Saudi Arabia was withdrawing its ambassador to Syria.[75] Despite originally wanting to stay out of Syria's affairs, Saudi Arabia's head of state, King Abdullah, escalated the rhetoric, calling on the government to stop its "killing machine".[76]
On 21 March, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said: "Syria is on an important threshold. We hope problems between the people and the administration [in Syria] can be handled without trouble."[77] On 2 May, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that if the Syrian government replicated an incident like the Hama massacre during this uprising, Turkey will not stand by and watch idly.[78][79] On 10 June, Erdoğan condemned Assad outright, calling the images of Syrian protesters being attacked by security forces "unpalatable" and criticizing the "savagery" of the government's response to the uprising. He said Turkey may back a proposed United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the Syrian regime over the crackdown.[80]
President Abdullah Gül sharply condemned the Siege of Hama's escalation at the beginning of Ramadan on 1 August, saying the Syrian regime's use of heavy weapons against the general populace "has given me a deep shock". Gül said it was "impossible to remain silent in the face of events visible to everyone ... and accept a bloody atmosphere at the start of Ramadan". He called upon the Syrian government to stop the violence and institute reforms to restore "peace and stability".[81]
Although on 5 August, Davutoğlu said his government was not considering expelling the Syrian ambassador in Ankara, he visited Syria himself on 9 August to deliver a "decisive message", according to Erdoğan.[82] After meeting with Assad and other Syrian officials for over six hours, Davutoğlu said he had outlined "concrete steps" that the Syrian government should take, but he did not say how they responded.[83] The Hurriyet Daily News reported on 13 August that the meeting had delivered an ultimatum from Turkey's president to Syria's president, and quoted an anonymous government source as saying Turkey could intervene militarily if Assad did not renounce the use of violence. The report suggested the Turkish government is concerned about Syrian ties to Iran and the role both have historically played in destabilising Iraq, as well as the possible sectarian dynamic of the uprising and crackdown.[84] On 15 August, Davutoğlu warned that the violence must stop "immediately and without conditions or excuses" or Turkey would take unspecified "steps".[85] Gül expressed disappointment in the regime on 28 August and said his government had "lost confidence" in Assad.[2]
Turkey stopped at least two shipments of what it said are Iranian weapons being transported to Syria amidst the 2011 uprising, one in March and one in early August.[86]
On 3 April, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Syria's President and voiced Iraq’s support of Syria "in the face of conspiracies targeting Syria’s stability".[87] However, on 9 August, as violence continued during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the Council of Representatives of Iraq issued a statement demanding reforms and an immediate halt to violence, which read in part: "We call to stop all non-peaceful practices, and all actions for suppression of freedoms and bloodshed is condemned and unacceptable."[88] Speaker Osama al-Najafi condemned the use of violence by the regime and said, "For the sake of the Syrian people, we demand the government, out of its responsibility to safeguard the lives of its people and their property, take the bold and courageous steps to stop the bleeding." Even in the same week as his parliament voiced its condemnation, Maliki appeared unswayed in his support for Assad, blaming protesters for trying to "sabotage" Syria and saying they should "use the democratic process, not riots, to voice their displeasure", according to The New York Times.[89] Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Samir Sumaida'ie said in an interview with a Foreign Policy blog on 25 August that he believed Assad's regime was "steadily losing its friends, its credibility, and its grip" and would eventually collapse, which would "alter the balance of power in the region and will eventually weaken Iran and reduce its capacity to project its power through Hezbollah, Hamas, and other instruments". He said Baghdad is not concerned about any potential instability that may arise from Assad's ouster.[90]
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry called for dialogue to end the crisis, saying, "What is happening in Syria now is worrisome, unfortunate and sad. We hope that dialogue is restored and reforms are achieved in order to get Syria out of this impasse. " However, Jordan also insisted that it would not interfere in Syria's internal affairs.[91] On 13 August, a spokesman for the government said Amman's "concern was growing" and added, "The government has voiced and still voices regret over the increasing number of victims and calls for sparing the lives of the brotherly Syrian people."[92] Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit said on 15 August that the crackdown must end and serious reforms should be implemented soon.[93] On 18 August, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Jordan was "angered" and "extremely worried" by the situation in Syria and the actions of Assad's security forces. On 14 November, King Abdullah II of Jordan became the first Arab leader to call for the resignation of President Bashar Al Assad, in an interview with the BBC.[21]
On 31 March, Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati commended the "ending of the chance to cause strife in Syria" and hailed the Syrian people's "support" for their president.[94] Also, President Michel Suleiman highlighted the importance of stability in Syria, and its positive impact on the security of and economic situation in Lebanon and Syria.[95] On 3 August, Lebanon was the only United Nations Security Council member to disassociate itself from a presidential statement read by the Indian delegate condemning the Syrian government over the crackdown.[18][96]
On 25 March, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said: "We are deeply sceptical about the official explanations as to what has happened with the various killings which have occurred in Daraa ... and we call directly on the Syrian Government to exercise restraint in their response to peaceful protest seeking democratic change."[97] Rudd said on 1 June that Assad and leading members of his regime should be referred to the International Criminal Court and tried for "brutal" crimes against the Syrian people.[98] The Reserve Bank of Australia strengthened economic sanctions against Syria on 3 August, adding intelligence and security officials to its banned list and freezing the assets of several companies.[99]
At a meeting of European Union foreign ministers on 18 July, Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger recommended that the EU engage the Syrian government "in a stern tone" to put pressure on the regime.[100] Spindelegger condemned the Syrian government over its crackdown in early August, saying on 9 August that "violence in Syria must come to an end" and adding, "Those responsible for ordering the use of brute force and those who apply it will be called to account for their actions." He said Ramadan offered a good opportunity for Syrian authorities to disavow the use of violence and enter into a dialogue, warning that "dialogue and violence are mutually exclusive".[101]
On 8 August, following Saudi Arabia's decision to recall its ambassador from Syria, Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa announced on Twitter that the Gulf archipelago state would do likewise.[102]
On 11 May, Botswana's Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement calling the violence "appalling" and stating the position of President Ian Khama, expressed in a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, that the UN should act immediately to halt the Syrian government's crackdown.[103]
On 10 June, Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota expressed his government's "concern" at the violence in Syria, but indicated his government was hedging against supporting a United Nations Security Council to condemn the Syrian government outright, calling the situation "very different" from the Libyan civil war, on which Brazil abstained from voting for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 mandating international military intervention. Patriota said his government noted the tendency of Lebanon, the one Arab League member state on the Security Council, to stand by the Syrian government and suggested Brazil was inclined to follow Lebanon's lead.[104]
On 21 March, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said: "Canada deplores the multiple deaths and injuries following protests in several Syrian cities over the weekend."[105] On 24 April, Foreign Affairs advised Canadians not to travel to Syria, and for those in Syria to consider leaving by commercial means while these were still available.[106] Prime Minister Stephen Harper called for Assad to leave power on 18 August, saying, "The Assad regime has lost all legitimacy by killing its own people to stay in power."[107] Canada has placed sanctions on Syria
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a statement on 8 August condemning the expulsion of journalists and violation of human rights on the part of the regime. The statement began: "The Czech Republic condemns the brutal attacks of the Syrian regime against demonstrations in Hama that have resulted in numerous casualties among civilians. The Syrian leadership bears a full responsibility for the violence against unarmed civilians."[108]
Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Urmas Paet said on 18 July that "Estonia condemns the attacks on embassies in Damascus and will support the expansion of barricading measures if necessary". Paet iterated Estonia's demands that the Syrian government renounce the use of force against protesters and commit to political reforms "that would take into consideration the demands of the Syrian people for a peaceful, actual, and irreversible transition to a free society".[109]
On 18 July, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said that in order to govern, President Assad "should have at least a democratic mandate, which he is lacking today".[100]
The West African state of Gabon, which held the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council as of June 2011, said it would support a draft resolution condemning the Syrian government over the crackdown.[110]
On 24 March, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said: "The violence must end immediately. The Syrian government must make sure that basic human and civil rights, as well as the rule of law, is observed,"[111] In early August, after the bloody Siege of Hama, the chairman of the German government's committee on foreign relations declared that there should be a global boycott of Syrian gas and oil exports with the aim to pressure Syria into ending its violence against protesters.[112] Meanwhile, on the same day (the 8th of August), a German government spokesman declared that if Assad continues to reject dialogue and resort to violence, the Syrian government will lose its legitimacy.[113] On 15 August, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said Berlin wanted stronger sanctions against Syria after hearing reports that Syrian gunboats strafed coastal neighborhoods in Latakia.[85] On 18 August, in a joint statement with the leaders of France and the United Kingdom, Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Assad to leave power immediately and condemned "this bloody repression of peaceful and courageous demonstrators and the massive violations of human rights which President Assad and his authorities have been committing for months".[21][22]
On 24 March, Greek Foreign Minister Dimitrios Droutsas said: "The use of violence to repress protests that has led to the murder of citizens is absolutely condemned. We call on the government of Syria to guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens".[114]
Despite pressure from Damascus on India to reject any statement critical of the Syrian government,[115] Indian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hardeep Puri read the 3 August presidential statement agreed to by the United Nations Security Council condemning Syrian authorities' use of force and "widespread violations of human rights".[96] Moreover, India abstained from voting against the violence committed by Syrian regime prompting harsh criticism from the Human Rights Watch.[116]
An Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman said of the violence in Syria on 1 August, "The use of force will never solve problems. ... We hope all related parties in Syria will be able to solve their problems by peaceful means to reach the best possible solution for the people of Syria."[117]
The Italian Foreign Ministry recalled its ambassador to Syria on 2 August and urged other EU member states to do likewise. It also condemned the Syrian government's "horrible repression against the civilian population".[115] In December 2011 new Minister Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata met with Syrian opposition leader Burhan Ghalioun and advocated tougher sanctions against the Assad regime.[118]
A statement attributed to Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto published on 24 April condemned the Syrian government's use of force and noted the rising numbers of casualties and fatalities in Syria. The statement said additional reforms beyond the government's lifting of the emergency law were urgently required and called for a stop to the violence.[119]
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan said on 23 August that it believes the Syrian government and opposition should hold a national dialogue. He also offered the government's support for OIC mediation in the dispute.[120]
A statement on 5 August from the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry called on the Syrian government to institute "true reforms that meet the legitimate demands of the Syrian people away from the security actions" and expressed "extreme pain for the continued bloodshed". Kuwait's criticism marked the first statement by an Arab government in opposition to the policies of the Assad administration during the uprising.[121] Kuwait withdrew its ambassador from Syria on 8 August "for consultations".[102]
On October 19 Libya's interim government, the National Transitional Council became the first government to express "its full recognition of the Syrian National Council as the legitimate ruler of Syria" [122][123]
On behalf of the Maldives' government, Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem said on 9 August, "The indiscriminate killing of innocent Muslim men, women and children by the Syrian state security forces, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, is completely unacceptable to the Maldives." Naseem demanded the Syrian government discontinue the use of violence and immediately move toward democracy and comply with international human rights standards, including resolutions passed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. "The time for promises is over – it is now time for action," Naseem warned. In his statement, he also expressly voiced support for recent condemnations by the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.[124]
Mauritanian Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf visited Damascus in late June bearing a letter of support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from his Mauritanian counterpart, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. The Mauritanian political opposition, the Rally of Democratic Forces, excoriated the government for "supporting dictatorship, repression, and peoples' oppression" and sharply condemned the visit.[125]
Mexico's government issued a statement through the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs in which it condemned the violent events and called on Syrian authorities to refrain from the use of force and facilitate political dialogue which includes its citizens more.[126]
The Moroccan Foreign Ministry issued a statement on 10 August noting its traditional tendency not to comment on the "internal affairs of other countries" but expressing "its strong worries and deep concern over the sad events rocking Syria". The statement called for an "inclusive" dialogue to solve the problems the country faces.[48]
The Parliament of New Zealand unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Green Party MP Keith Locke condemning "the shooting of peaceful demonstrators in Hama and other Syrian cities" and urging the Syrian government to begin a national dialogue to take steps toward a democratic transition on 3 August.[127]
On 24 March, Norwegian minister of foreign affairs Jonas Gahr Støre condemned the violence, saying: "Norway urges the authorities of Syria not to use violence against peaceful protesters, to respect the freedom of speech and assembly, and to enter into a dialogue with the people about their legitimate demands".[128]
A spokesman for President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III asked for a "peaceful resolution of the situation in Syria" on 15 August. He quoted Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario as expressing "deep concern" over the crackdown and urging the government "to immediately implement the reforms promised" to protesters.[129]
In mid-August, Poland's delegation to the United Nations drafted and circulated a proposed resolution calling for a second investigation into the uprising and crackdown focusing on events on and after 15 July 2011.[130]
The Portuguese delegation to the United Nations reportedly collaborated with the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to draft a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the Syrian government for its response to the uprising.[131]
On 3 April, Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani sent a letter to Syrian President al-Assad voicing Qatar's support for Syria amid "attempts at destabilization".[132] After pro-regime protesters incensed over Doha-based news network Al Jazeera's coverage of the Syrian uprising vandalized the Qatari embassy in Damascus, pelting it with eggs, rocks, and vegetables, Qatar abruptly suspended its diplomatic operations in Syria starting 17 July.[133] Political analyst Karim Sader suggested Qatar's response was part of "a shrewdly calculated divorce from the Syrian regime".[134] Qatar News Agency, the emirate's state-owned media outlet, was the first network in the Arab world to broadcast Arab League Secretary-General Naril Elaraby's 7 August statement criticizing the Syrian government over its military actions and calling for an end to the violence.[1] On 24 August, Qatar's permanent representative to the United Nations strongly criticised the crackdown, expressing grief at the number of casualties and urging Syrian authorities to protect civilians instead of using violence against them. He also suggested that the Syrian government may have violated international human rights laws.[135] While visiting Iran on 26 August, the emir described the protest movement in Syria as "a real civil uprising to demand change, justice and freedom" and suggested the international community should "help [Syrian authorities] to take such a decision" to abandon the "fruitless" crackdown and adopt major reforms.[136]
In a press release dated 3 August, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned "the excessive resort to force against the civilian population" and described military operations in Hama as "extremely worrisome".[137]
Though the South African government issued a statement condemning the violence in Syria, its representative to the United Nations Security Council reportedly received instructions to attempt to block a possible resolution inveighing against the regime's response to the uprising.[138]
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Trinidad Jiménez expressed "deep concern" and her government's "resounding condemnation of the violence being used by the Syrian regime against its own people" on 8 August.[139] Spain reportedly offered Assad asylum in July, but its envoy was quoted in El Pais on 15 August as saying the Syrian officials he spoke to "were totally detached from reality" and "will not compromise on anything substantial".[85]
On 6 April, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir called al-Assad to voice his support for Syria against "the attempts aimed at destabilising it."[140]
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said bluntly that the Syrian government "has run its course" and "has to give way to a new regime" at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers on 18 July.[100]
On 18 August, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reading in part, "The actions of the Syrian security forces are not acceptable." The statement also declared that Switzerland was recalling its ambassador to Syria.[21]
On 11 August, Tunisian state-run media quoted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as urging the Assad administration to "immediately cease hostilities and engage in an effective dialogue".[141] Tunis recalled its ambassador from Syria on 17 August, citing the "dangerous situation" in the country.[142]
On 29 March, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan called Syrian President al-Assad, and reaffirmed that the UAE stands by Damascus.[143]
Yemen kept distancing itself from the crisis, due to then-ongoing uprising inside the country against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Yemeni government, in a statement, urgued "all Syrian forces to refrain from actions that provoke further violence and stressed the importance of holding an open dialogue between the Syrian rivals to ensure reaching peaceful solutions to end their political crisis". Yet, Yemen condemned the attacks on the embassies of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the state-run Saba news agency reported.[144]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo issued the following statement on 23 August: "The government and the people of Kosovo support the efforts of the Syrian people as they strive towards freedom and democracy. The Republic of Kosovo joins all democratic countries in opposing the violence and repression against the Syrian demonstrators. By ordering the repression of his own people through violent acts that have resulted in numerous fatalities, President Assad has lost the right to govern the country. The People of Syria have the right to build their lives in freedom, with freedom of speech, and with the guarantee that their human rights will be respected by the government. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo calls for the end of violence against the peaceful demonstrators in Syria and fully supports the engagement of democratic nations in offering support to the Syrian people to overcome this situation and to realise their aspirations for freedom and democracy."[145]
Pope Benedict XVI called on Syrian authorities in a morning address on 7 August to recognise the "legitimate aspirations" of the Syrian people. "I am following with deep concern the dramatic and increasing episodes of violence in Syria that have led to numerous victims and grave suffering."[146]
Fatah Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki called military operations in Latakia "very worrisome" on 15 August amid UNRWA reports that thousands of Palestinians had been forced to flee from a major refugee camp on the outskirts of the Syrian city. A spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas demanded that the Syrian government protect the Palestinians. A Hamas spokesman said he was unaware of the reports and denied that the uprising had affected Hamas' position in Syria or elsewhere.[147]
Egyptian Islamic theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi declared his support for the uprising against what he called Syria's "suppressive regime", saying that it commits "atrocities". He called for victory against the ruling Ba'ath Party, and opined that the army would be the major factor in the revolt.[169] Al-Qaradawi said all Arabs should support the uprising in Syria, saying "Today the train of revolution has reached a station that it had to reach: The Syria station", and "It is not possible for Syria to be separated from the history of the Arab community".[170] The Muslim Brotherhood, with which al-Qaradawi has been involved for several years,[171][172] assisted in the uprising, with Islamic clergy calling on Sunnis to pour onto the streets throughout Syria and expel the Alawi regime.[173]
In early June 2011, Armenian professor of Arab studies Araks Pashayan expressed concern that Syrian Armenians, who she said generally support Assad due to his mild policies toward the Armenian community and several other ethnic minorities in Syria, could face reprisals from anti-government protesters if the crisis continued.[174]
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said on 9 June that "change in Syria is essential", although he warned of a power vacuum in the event that President Bashar al-Assad's regime collapses. "It is important we get to the point where the Syrian people are able to elect their government," Blair said. He said he hoped Assad would make the necessary reforms, but acknowledged that the majority opinion among protesters in Syria was likely that the president must leave power for the democratic transition to go forward.[175]
The mufti of Mount Lebanon Governorate in Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammad Ali Jouzou, said on 21 July that the Syrian security apparatus was being turned "against the struggling people" and criticised the violence used by the regime. He also voiced support for Qatar's role in supporting the Arab Spring, including its then-recent withdrawal of its ambassador from Damascus, and criticised the Syrian government's behaviour toward it.[176]
After a bloody crackdown across Syria on the eve of Ramadan, former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri publicly condemned the Syrian government. "We in Lebanon cannot, under any circumstances, remain silent regarding the bloody developments taking place in Syria," said Hariri on 31 July. He compared the violence in Hama over the weekend to the 1982 Hama massacre and said the Arab world must speak out against repression in Syria.[177]
Mohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb, imam of al-Azhar, Cairo's oldest mosque, said the institution "was patient for a long time and avoided talking about the situation in Syria because of its sensitive nature", but by 8 August, it had "exceeded all limits". He called for an end to the "tragedy".[178]
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who resigned in the face of massive protests in his country in February 2011 and is currently facing trial for his role in attempting to suppress demonstrations, condemned "crimes perpetrated by the Syrian regime against their own people" and urged Assad to resign, Egyptian daily Al-Gomhuria reported on 17 August.[179]
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||