Arab League to freeze Syria economic ties

YNet ^ | Saturday, November 26, 2011 | Reuters

[SunkenCiv]

Arab states plan to freeze assets, impose travel ban on senior officials and halt commercial flights to Syria, according to draft document.

Arab states plan to cut commercial ties with Syria's government and freeze its assets as they step up pressure to end months of political violence in the country, a draft document to be discussed by Arab ministers on Sunday showed.

The sanctions would also include a travel ban on senior Syrian officials and a halt to commercial flights to the country, according to the Arab League document seen by Reuters on Saturday.

Dealings with Syria's central bank would be halted, it said, but basic commodities needed by the Syrian people would be exempted from the list of sanctions.

The document, drawn up by the Arab League's Social and Economic Committee at a preparatory meeting in Cairo in Saturday, would need to be ratified by ministers before coming into force.

Damascus missed a Friday deadline to agree an Arab League proposal to send monitors to Syria, where the United Nations says 3,500 people have been killed in the eight-month uprising against President Bashar Assad.

The Arab League turned against Assad this month, suspending Syria's membership of the regional body in a surprise move that broke with months of low-key diplomacy.

The draft document said Arab states would freeze the financing of projects on Syrian territory and Arab central banks would monitor bank transfers and letters of credit to make sure they comply with the sanctions. Remittances sent home by Syrians working abroad would not be blocked.

"It is important that the international community move to resolve this problem and deliver a powerful message to the Syrian government," said Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, who was invited to attend Saturday's committee meeting.

He said the sanctions must not affect the daily life of Syria's people or threaten their most basic needs such as access to water.

"We know that the Arab League during its meetings today and tomorrow will take strong decisions to stop the violence in Syria," said Babacan.

The Arab League suspended Syria's membership two weeks ago over Damascus' violent crackdown on dissent and its failure to implement the League's plan to end the unrest, Voice of America reported.

[SunkenCiv]

There has been an agitprop offensive going on from Associated Press -- the local garbage wrappter had coverage of the Egyptian riots, but the only coverage it had of Syria showed pro-Assad astroturf shouting slogans -- in Iran. Photo? AP of course.

Funerals of Syrian soldiers in Homs (Photo: EPA)

[therightliveswithus]

The noose is tightening for Assad

[SunkenCiv]

Anti-Assad rally in Cairo [Photo: EPA]

[SunkenCiv]

It’s starting to roll now; I’d be surprised if he isn’t killed by one of his bodyguards and/or one or more of the upper echelons of henchmen, to save themselves or (if they don’t survive) obtain better treatment for their families under the new regime.

[SunkenCiv]

Syrian protesters [Photo: AFP]

[SunkenCiv]

Arabs plan to freeze Syria economic ties: document
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/26/us-arabs-syria-idUSTRE7AP0O720111126

Arab League formulates proposed sanctions against Syria
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/27/c_122340424.htm

New Reports of Fierce Fighting in Syria, Sanctions Loom
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/11/26/new-reports-of-fierce-fighting-in-syria-sanctions-loom/

‘Protest singer’ slain for anti-Assad tune
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4092999,00.html

Assad: Turkey seeking to recapture imperial days
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4153293,00.html

Assad’s fall good for Israel
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4153283,00.html

Assad puts Hamas in corner over Syrian assault
[”As PLO, other Palestinian groups speak out against Syria’s repression of protesters, Hamas remains mute”]
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4110311,00.html

[meatloaf]

I don’t think Ghaddfi had much of an army. On the other hand Asad is better equipped. To the extent he keeps control of the army, I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

[RitchieAprile]

theres an easily understood reason for the lack of coverage of the Syrian rebels... its deadly dangerous to cover.

Syrian military will not hesitate to terminate a bad publicity threat if they get the chance.

[SunkenCiv]

The Syrian army is undermotivated (they don't like to fight). Those who do fight fall into two categories -- those who fire on the unarmed, and those who fire on loyalist units.

The latter are more motivated.

But we'll see. Maybe it's time to start a pool... ;')

[SunkenCiv]

The easily understood reason could be that — but it’s more likely that the AP works for the Shiite jihad.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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