AL Suffers Divisions over Syria: Egypt Rejects Military Intervention, KSA Seeks to Cover Possible Aggression

Local Editor

The Arab League urged Sunday the international community to take "deterrent" action against the Syrian regime over the alleged chemical attack.

"The United Nations and the international community are called upon to assume their responsibilities in line with the UN Charter and international law by taking the necessary deterrent measures", the AL said after a meeting of its foreign ministers.

During the debate, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal told the meeting that opposing international action on the grounds that it was "foreign intervention" was no longer acceptable.
"Any opposition to any international action would only encourage Damascus to move forward with committing its crimes and using all weapons of mass destruction," Faisal said.

Echoing Faisal, the head of Syria's opposition National Coalition urged Arab countries to back US-led strikes.
"I am here before you today to appeal to your brotherly and humanitarian sentiments and ask you to back the international operation against the destructive war machine" of the Syrian regime, Ahmad al-Jarba said.

This comes as Syria's main opposition bloc said Sunday it was disappointed with US President Barack Obama's decision to seek approval from Congress to launch strike against the Syrian government.
"We had a feeling of disappointment. We were expecting things to be quicker, that a strike would be imminent... But we believe Congress will approve a strike," said Samir Nashar, a top official at the Syrian National Coalition.

In a clear contrast to the Saudi position, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy warned that Syria has turned to a cave for extremists.

Murder based on identity and sect became usual," he said, expressing his country's rejection of foreign interference in Syria out of its fixed commitment to international laws.
"The political solution represented by the Geneva 2 is the best for ending Syria's crisis," Fahmy added.

Similarly, the Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdel Aziz, whose country took over the rotating AL presidency from Egypt, warned that the situation in Syria has reached a dangerous slippery slope.

"The situation requires a serious Arab position to find a solution for Syria crisis," the minister viewed.

In parallel, the Libyan FM stressed that "the Palestinian issue remains at the top of our priorities and we look forward to exchanging views on how to support the negotiations."

Source: Agencies, Translated by website team