- Title: ROMANIA: Syrians protest outside Russian embassy in Romania
- Date: 19th July 2012
- Summary: SIGN READING: 'PLEASE SAVE SYRIAN CHILDREN' (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) PROTESTER, KHALED HENDAWI, SAYING: "Here, in front of the Russian embassy, we ask the Russian government to stop supporting the Syrian regime and to stop sending it arms." WOMAN HOLDING PHOTOGRAPH OF DEAD CHILDREN WITH WRITING READING: 'NO COMMENT'
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Romania
- Country: Romania
- Topics: International Relations,People
- Reuters ID: LVABUR3CTRRJF8A2ZTO1YNBH797E
- Story Text: Syrians living in Romania stage a protest outside the Russian embassy in Bucharest demanding the Kremlin stops its support for President Bashar al-Assad A group of around 100 Syrians living in Romania protested on Thursday (July 19) outside the Russian embassy in Bucharest, asking the Kremlin to stop its support of President Bashar al-Assad's government Hours before Russia and China vetoed again a Western-backed U.N. Security Council resolution that threatened Syrian authorities with sanctions, the protesters had gathered on the outside grounds of the embassy waving flags, banners and chanting anti-Assad slogans in Romanian and Arabic.
"Here, in front of the Russian embassy, we ask the Russian government to stop supporting the Syrian regime and to stop sending it arms," said a protester Khaled Hendawi.
"Russia supports this regime (Assad regime) and it's a shame. It supports a criminal who is killing children without any mercy. We came here to try to convince Russia to stop supporting the regime because it is going to fall anyway," added another protester, Iasmina.
Some of the protesters were seen holding placards displaying images of dead bodies, a reminder of the thousands of people killed in the 16-month-old long Syrian conflict.
"If you (Russia) want to continue supporting them (Assad regime), it's you choice. But we are telling you: our wish for freedom and dignity is more powerful than your arms," shouted another protester, Ahmad Al Zaabi, through a megaphone.
It was the third time that Russia, a key ally of the Syrian government, and China have used their veto power to block U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to put pressure on Assad.
The vetoed resolution, which would have extended a U.N. observer mission in Syria for 45 days, received 11 votes in favor, with two abstentions.
The 15-member council still has time to negotiate another resolution on the fate of the unarmed mission before its initial 90-day mandate expires at midnight (0400 GMT) on Friday (July 20). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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