Arab League warns of 'disastrous consequences' for the Middle East after Syria peace plan fails

[Bosonic]

Source: Telegraph

Defying the terms of a regional peace initiative that President Bashar al-Assad agreed to uphold last week, Syrian security forces killed at least 13 people in Homs, the opposition said, bringing the three-day death toll in the restive city to more than 40.

The Arab League initiative was seen as an "eleventh hour opportunity" to restore a semblance of peace in Syria, where more than 3,000 people have been killed since the uprising against Mr Assad began nearly eight months ago.

"The failure of the Arab solution will have disastrous consequences in Syria and the region," Nabil Elaraby, the Arab League's secretary-general, said from his Cairo headquarters yesterday.

Under the terms of the peace plan, the Syrian government was meant to order tanks off the streets, end the killing of protesters, release 70,000 political prisoners and embark on negotiations with the opposition.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8873162/Arab-League-warns-of-disastrous-consequences-for-the-Middle-East-after-Syria-peace-plan-fails.html

[azurnoir]

1. if the Arab League suspends Syria it should send a message however

it quite possibly could put Syria even more firmly in the corner with Iran

[Bosonic]

2. I can see a possibility that Syria

(and probably Lebanon too) could become a proxy battleground between Iran and Turkey+Saudi Arabia (plus maybe Western dabbling).

[azurnoir]

3. Still the Arab should kick Assad's butt

by diplomatic means, the UNSC should also sanction him

[vminfla]

4. Arab spring is turning into a frosty winter.

nt

[Little Tich]

5. NATO seems to be reluctant to step in, which is understandable.

But as long as Assad is in power, the killings will continue. This is not sustainable. There is a general sense in the Arab world that a Libya style intervention is needed and eventually, someone has to act. Who these actors are, and what they will do, I don't know.

[pampango]

6. Call for second Arab League meeting over Syria

http://www.euronews.net/2011/11/06/call-for-second-arab-league-meeting-over-syria/

As more civilians are reportedly killed by Syrian security forces, Qatar is calling for the Arab League to urgently meet again over the situation there.

There is widespread concern that Syria has failed to meet its obligations under an Arab League peace plan struck four days ago.

Damascus has been cracking down on anti-government demonstrators with deadly force for months, sparking international condemnation.

The Arab League has pleaded with President Assad to put in place measures to protect civilians and do more to promote dialogue with his opponents.