BICOM

Despite the ongoing violence of the Syrian regime against its citizens, a meeting of foreign ministers of Arab League countries stopped short yesterday of demanding the expulsion of Syria from the organisation. The meeting also did not endorse the opposition Syrian National Coalition as the legitimate government of Syria. Instead, Arab foreign ministers demanded that the Bashar Assad regime begin a process of dialogue with the opposition at Arab League headquarters within 15 days. Supporters of the Syrian uprising gathered outside the meeting and expressed their anger and disappointment at its outcome. The Arab League played a key role in securing a strong international role in Libya, but the organisations current stance on Syria makes international action less likely.

The violent repression of the uprising in Syria, meanwhile, is continuing apace. Approximately 36 people were killed on Friday by the Syrian armed forces while taking part in protests. Syrian troops opened fire on Sunday in the resort town of Zabadani, close to the border with Lebanon. The assault on Zabadani followed days of fighting in the area between forces loyal to Assad and rebels fighting the regime. On at least one occasion, according to eyewitness reports, Syrian armoured vehicles fired across the border into Lebanon.