SYRIA: UN Arab League Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi says that the worsening Syria crisis a global threat

Record ID: 281362

  • Title: SYRIA: UN Arab League Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi says that the worsening Syria crisis a global threat
  • Date: 15th September 2012
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (SEPTEMBER 15, 2012) (REUTERS) BRAHIMI LISTENING, WALKING TO PODIUM AT NEWS CONFERENCE REPORTERS AND CAMERA CREWS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UN ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY LAKHDAR BRAHIMI, SAYING: "We discussed the Syria crisis and I repeat that this is an extremely dangerous situation and it is getting worse. It is posing a threat to the Syrian people and the region and
  • Embargoed: 30th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVA6I2262L1X1GI43XQTL4OR2M9T
  • Story Text: UN Arab League Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has said on Saturday (September 15) the worsening Syria crisis a global threat.
    Brahimi spoke in Damascus after an hour-long meeting with President Bashar Al-Assad at the Presidential Palace.
    "We discussed the Syria crisis and I repeat that this is an extremely dangerous situation and it is getting worse. It is posing a threat to the Syrian people and the region and even to the whole world," Brahimi said at a news conference.
    Activists say more than 27,000 people have been killed in the 18-month-old conflict between Assad's forces and the mainly Sunni Muslim rebels determined to overthrow him.
    Saturday's meeting in Damascus was Brahimi's first with Assad since he replaced Kofi Annan as peace envoy two weeks ago, taking on a mission which the veteran Algerian diplomat described as "nearly impossible".
    Brahimi said there is still no clear direction the mission should take because of the fluid nature of the situation.
    Russia, Iran and China are supporting Assad's government and Moscow and Beijing have three times blocked Western-backed attempts in the U.N. Security Council to criticise and threaten sanctions against Damascus.
    Brahimi said Assad and his officials had pledged to support his work, adding that he would return to the region soon after talks in New York with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
    Brahimi, who arrived on Thursday (September 13), is expected to meet with Louay Hussein, President of the Building the state opposition party, and a number of Arab Ambassadors to Syria.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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