EGYPT: Syrian centrist opposition group meets Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby and calls for a greater role for the U.N. observer mission and an increase in their number

Record ID: 280807

  • Title: EGYPT: Syrian centrist opposition group meets Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby and calls for a greater role for the U.N. observer mission and an increase in their number
  • Date: 29th May 2012
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (MAY 28, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ARAB LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS FLAG OF ARAB LEAGUE, FLUTTERING FLAGS OF ARAB COUNTRIES IN LEAGUE VARIOUS OF MEETING BETWEEN LEADERS OF THE SYRIAN NATIONAL COORDINATION BODY AND SECRETARY-GENERAL OF ARAB LEAGUE, NABIL ELARABY SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SYRIAN NATIONAL COORDINATION BODY, HAYTHAM MANNA, ON WAY TO GIVE STATEMENT (SO
  • Embargoed: 13th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA9GIANJXJ7ZI4F7WHVT9FYWIZ0
  • Story Text: A Syrian centrist opposition group on Monday (May 28) called for an increase in the role and numbers of U.N. truce observers in Syria.
    The Syrian National Coordination Body, which is a major opposition group not allied to the more militant Syrian National Council, said that different opposition factions should meet to share views, but that it still believed dialogue was the way to resolve the bloody 14 month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
    The SNC has spoken of acting as a conduit for arms supplies to the rebel Free Syrian Army which has seen the opposition to Assad become increasingly militarised.
    Speaking after a meeting in Cairo with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby, a spokesperson for the National Coordination Body said suggestions had been made for a pan-Syrian opposition groups meeting.
    "Concerning this issue, a number of proposals have been put forward that allow for the meeting of different factions of the opposition, to discuss matter relating to investigations, humanitarian assistance, the media, or any other issue related to the possible scenarios in the transitional phase," spokesperson Haytham Manna said.
    The Arab League is the joint sponsor, along with the U.N., of the six-weeks-old ceasefire, brokered by envoy Kofi Annan, but widely-flouted in Syria.
    The United Nations Security Council on Sunday (May 27) condemned an attack on the town of Houla on Friday (May 25) which killed at least 108 people, including children.
    The council said the Syrian government had violated international law.
    On Monday, Annan flew in to Damascus for talks to try to bring the ceasefire plan back on track.
    He received the backing of the National Coordination Body.
    "Up until now, no one can offer any alternative plan to the Kofi Annan initiative. There is no other compelling, logical or relevant plan so far, therefore we will stick to the Annan plan. We have worked out its pros and cons and we're seeking a doubling of the numbers of observers and giving them a greater role. We are going to follow the processes that will help us get the (United Nations) Security Council's unanimous agreement to make this plan successful," Manna said.
    Under the Annan plan, the number of U.N. truce monitors was due to reach a target of 300 by the end of May.
    On Monday the mission's chief in Syria said that there had been progress at grassroots level on violence reduction.
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