EGYPT: Arab League says it is up to member states to decide whether to agree to a request from suspended member Syria for an emergency meeting

Record ID: 280045

  • Title: EGYPT: Arab League says it is up to member states to decide whether to agree to a request from suspended member Syria for an emergency meeting
  • Date: 15th November 2011
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (NOVEMBER 14, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ARAB LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS VARIOUS OF ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY-GENERAL, NABIL ELARABY, MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE SYRIAN OPPOSITION ELARABY WALKING TO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY-GENERAL, NABIL ELARABY, SAYING: "I received a letter from the Syrian Foreign Minister, in which President Bas
  • Embargoed: 30th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt, Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4HXR7P9YMC19YWBMD9VWC5ZXQ
  • Story Text: The head of the Arab League said on Monday (November 14) that he had received a request from Syria to hold an emergency summit meeting to discuss the country's impending suspension from the League, but that a majority of League members would need to approve the request for such a summit to be held.
    "I received a letter from the Syrian Foreign Minister, in which President Bashar al-Assad requests an emergency summit -- and he has sent letters to all of the Arab presidents and kings. This issue depends on the Arab states themselves. When there are fifteen members in accordance, then the summit will be held," Nabil Elaraby told journalists at the League's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
    Syria incurred further European sanctions, and criticism from Turkey and Jordan on Monday, after the surprise Arab League decision to suspend it for failing to halt months of violence aimed at crushing opposition to President Bashar al-Assad.
    Earlier today Jordanian King Abdullah called on Assad to step down, the first such statement from an Arab leader.
    Despite the diplomatic pressure, there was no let-up in violence and at least two people were killed today, activists said, adding to a total of more than 3,500 according to the United Nations.
    Elaraby met, on Monday morning, human rights groups and with Syrian opposition groups later in the day.
    The Secretary-General said that if a meeting of Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday (November 16) agreed with the move, human rights monitors would be dispatched to Syria as soon as possible.
    "A meeting took place today at the Arab League, with 16 organizations related to human rights, as was stipulated by the Arab League's decision. A discussion took place with these groups on the possibilities available for individuals from each group -- when a decision is taken this coming Wednesday -- to send a mission to Syria. This is what happened this morning. All of them expressed a strong desire to take part, and they have a great deal of experience in these matters. And I think that if the Council of Ministers agree this coming Wednesday in Rabat (Morocco), a mission will be sent as soon as possible," he said.
    While Syria looks ever more isolated in the Arab world and international community as a whole, it still has the support of Russia, which said the Arab League had made the wrong move and accused the West of inciting Assad's opponents.
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