SYRIA: Syrians in Damascus voice their support for Libyan anti-government demonstrations

Record ID: 278527

  • Title: SYRIA: Syrians in Damascus voice their support for Libyan anti-government demonstrations
  • Date: 22nd February 2011
  • Summary: MORE OF OSAMA SALAMEH PREPARING FOOD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OSAMA SALAMEH, OWNER OF A SMALL RESTAURANT, SAYING: "He (Gaddafi) is worse than the worst. I think he is the Arab (Ariel) Sharon (former Israeli Prime Minister). Seif al-Islam and (Muammar) Gaddafi are worse than the worst. The tribes will definitely not leave him alone. I advise him to shoot himself with the bullet
  • Embargoed: 9th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA4YHFJEWC3PHRZT2FK9HF1LY5T
  • Story Text: As Libya's deadly crackdown on the country's uprising continues, Syrians joined other Arab and international voices expressing outrage at the actions of Muammar Gaddafi's government and solidarity with his opponents.
    Protests against the government of Libyan leader Gaddafi in Tripoli and other cities have left hundreds dead at the hands of the security forces, witnesses and human rights groups have said.
    Media coverage from the country is heavily restricted and there were many reports of the army being ordered to fire on protesters, including air force attacks on neighbourhoods that had fallen into the control of protesters.
    Omar al-Hilwani, a Syrian citizen, was critical of Libyan authorities.
    "What the Libyan government is doing is condemned by everybody, legal, international or anyone else. Especially that, as I heard, he (Gaddafi) is striking them with planes. Also Seif al-Islam, who is the son of the president and has no official position, came out to threaten the people with an imperialism. This is the first time I see that there is someone who threatens their people with occupation and imperialism. I am against this thing and I am with the Libyan people in all honesty," he said.
    As the wave of unrest that ousted in leaders of Tunisia and Egypt in recent weeks sweeps through other countries in the Middle East, rights defenders have said Syria has intensified its crackdown on the local opposition. But many Syrians nonetheless commented vehemently on events in Libya.
    Abu Osman, another resident of Damascus, echoed Hilwani's comments.
    "The people are demanding their rights. They should not suppress, hit or insult their dignity. They have to feed them and accept their grievances," he said.
    Osama Salameh, an owner of a small restaurant, compared Gaddafi to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, accused by most Arabs of committing war crimes against Palestinians during his time as defence minister.
    "He (Gaddafi) is worse than the worst. I think he is the Arab (Ariel) Sharon (former Israeli Prime Minister). Seif al-Islam and (Muammar) Gaddafi are worse than the worst. The tribes will definitely not leave him alone. I advise him to shoot himself with the bullet of mercy and end his life," he said.
    Libya has conceded it has lost control over important cities in the east, but Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam has vowed the regime would fight to the last bullet.
    As the fighting has intensified across the thinly populated nation stretching from the Mediterranean deep into the Sahara desert, cracks appeared among Gaddafi supporters, with some ambassadors resigning and calling for his removal.
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