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Damascus appreciates Delhi’s stand, says US behind armed rebellion
A day after India along with Russia strongly asked all the actors in Syria to immediately end violence in the country, Damascus has appreciated New Delhi’s stand and called other countries to emulate it. Alleging that the US was directly involved in the armed rebellion to destabilise the peaceful coexistence in the country, Syrian Ambassador to India Dr Riad Abbas on Friday said New Delhi’s position of “non-interference” was the only way forward to end the crisis in Syria.
Accusing the US of asking the armed groups not to surrender their weapons which is a direct intervention, Abbas told The Pioneer, “We highly appreciate India’s stand in regards of non interference in the internal affairs of my country. This is the principal stand of India that should be taken by all countries around the world so people can solve their problem amicably and the country as a whole.”
After suspending Syria on Wednesday, the Arab League on Thursday gave three days to the Syrian Government to stop the “bloody repression” of its civilians or face sanctions.
Syrian envoy Abbas said the country was “committed to the Arab initiative”, since they believe that there should be an “Arab solution to the crisis”. Stating in a stern manner that the Arab League has been used by vested interest countries, he said, “then Syria will solve its problems on its own.”
“The Arab League initiative was accepted by Syria, and the Syrian Government was given a period of 15 days after which there would be a review for the situation in Syria and the implementation of the initiative, but unfortunately on the tenth day, the Arab League took an unprecedented move to suspend Syria’s membership in violation of the Arab League Charter because of the US pressures on some Arab countries to take such a hasty illegal decision,” he said.
Stating that sanctions are “counter-productive” Abaas said, Damscus “don’t expect friendly countries like India and China to pressurise Syria through economic sanctions for a solution.
“We don’t expect friendly countries, who understand the reality on the ground to take such a step that would harm the Syrian People,” Abaas said.
“Sanctions have never been a solution to the crisis and they are counter productive and have adverse impact on the people like what happened in Iraq and Libya. These are provocative measures used for tactical games by the West,” he added.
Stating that the Indian mission and foreign embassies were safe and protected by the establishment, Abaas said there was no need to press the panic button. “The foreign embassies and missions are safe and protected by the Government,” he said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime signed up to the deal brokered by the Arab League to end the crackdown under huge pressure from fellow Arab States, to avoid the internationalisation of the crisis. Assad’s regime has so far failed to comply with the peace plan -- signed on November 2 -- to end its crackdown on protests, which the United Nations says has left at least 3,500 people dead since March.
