EGYPT: Syrian government signs an Arab protocol, part of the Arab League peace initiative, to let in monitors

Record ID: 280103

  • Title: EGYPT: Syrian government signs an Arab protocol, part of the Arab League peace initiative, to let in monitors
  • Date: 20th December 2011
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (DECEMBER 19, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ARAB LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS IN CAIRO ARAB LEAGUE FLAG FLYING ON ROOFTOP VARIOUS OF ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY GENERAL, NABIL ELARABY, MEETING WITH DEPUTY SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, FAISAL AL-MEQDAAD AND SYRIAN AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT YUSUF AHMED ELARABY SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER FAISAL AL-MEQDAAD MEETING IN PROGRESS FLAG
  • Embargoed: 4th January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt, Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABW44D64H9B2AARLTRDK6F9ABF
  • Story Text: Syria signed a protocol on Monday (December 19) to allow in monitors, part of an Arab peace plan that aims to end a nine-month crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
    After meeting with Secretary General, Nabil Elaraby, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Meqdad signed the protocol, which the Arab league hopes is a step towards ending the violence which the United Nations says has killed almost 5,000 people.
    Elaraby announced the news following the signing ceremony.
    "Good morning, as most of you know, a few minutes ago, at 1300, a deal between the Syrian republic and the general secretariat, concerning the legal framework of the Arab League mission to Syria, has been signed," he told reporters.
    The protocol is part of a larger Arab League peace plan which calls for sending delegations to Syria, whose main purpose is to ensure the protection of civilian lives.
    "A committee will travel to Syria in two or three days. The assistant secretary general, Samir Seif Alyazal, will head this committee and will be accompanied by legal, human rights, administrative and financial affairs experts, to research all issues concerning the missions that will travel to Syria. We have a list of names of people from non-governmental organisations as well as government representatives and each mission will be made up of around 10 or more people, who will travel to different locations," Elaraby added.
    Syria has stalled for weeks over signing the protocol on monitors, although it had agreed to other parts of the plan. Elaraby said the agreement will be revisited a month from today.
    "The protocol signed will last for one month, by which time it could be renewed. In a month from today, it will be susceptible to renewal," he said.
    The League suspended Syria from the pan-Arab body and announced sanctions against Damascus. Elaraby stressed that all sanctions imposed on the government are still in place. He also thanked the countries involved.
    "I would like to thank the Iraqi government for the important role they played in this issue. There was a time when an Iraqi delegation travelled to Syria along with an Arab League delegation who met with president Bashar Al-Assad, and told me that they were beginning to increase pressure on the government. There are a lot of countries, such as Russia, that can be credited for their contribution to the signing of this protocol, which we hope in the end will lead to the fulfilment of the demands of the Syrian people," Elaraby said.
    An Arab League foreign ministers meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday (December 21) has now been cancelled in wake of the signing.
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