GERMANY: Chancellor says opposition must unify to help Syria

Record ID: 281403

  • Title: GERMANY: Chancellor says opposition must unify to help Syria
  • Date: 29th August 2012
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (AUGUST 29, 2012) (REUTERS) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL AND ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, MARIO MONTI DURING NEWS CONFERENCE CLOSE OF MERKEL AND MONTI DURING NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "At this point I would like to mention our mutual (Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Merkel) convi
  • Embargoed: 13th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAXGL0U4LSOZSL2XL66MRASFGG
  • Story Text: German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said on Wednesday (August 29) that the Syrian opposition should be prepared to take on the responsibility of running the country.
    Speaking after a meeting with Italian prime minister Mario Monti, Merkel said the the humanitarian situation in Syria meant that a steadying influence was needed as soon as possible.
    "For our part it would be good if the Syrian opposition prepared itself to take over responsibility and in doing so would develop as much unity as possible. Because in light of the utterly unacceptable humanitarian conditions it is extremely necessary that everything is done to achieve stability in the name of, and for, the people within the country as quickly as possible," Merkel said, speaking for both leaders.
    Monti said that Italy was exercising as much diplomatic muscle as it could to curtail violence in Syria.
    "I can assure you that the Italian government is very concerned about the situation in Syria. We are active on an international level in putting pressure on the Syrian government," Monti said.
    The two leaders spoke as Iran welcomed developing nations attending a summit there and pushed them to back its call for a ceasefire in Syria, an official said on Wednesday, as Tehran seeks to be seen as a peacemaker in a region where its Arab neighbours often view it with suspicion.
    Iran says the 120-nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in its capital proves U.S. efforts to isolate it have failed.
    A resolution on Syria would help Tehran argue that its ties with Damascus are benign.
    Tehran has steadfastly backed Assad since an uprising began last year, describing the president as a key part of its "axis of resistance" against Israel and Western influence in the Middle East.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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