- Title: EGYPT: Tokyo backs Arab League efforts to resolve Syria crisis
- Date: 6th February 2012
- Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (FEBRUARY 5, 2012) (REUTERS) ARAB LEAGUE FLAG FLYING AT HALF MAST / EXTERIOR OF ARAB LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS JAPAN'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE MIDDLE EAST, YUTAKA IIMURA MEETING WITH ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY GENERAL, NABIL ELARABY MEMBERS OF JAPANESE DELEGATION ELARABY / IIMURA DURING MEETING ARAB LEAGUE LOGO ON WALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) YUTAKA IIMURA, SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN FOR THE MIDDLE EAST, SAYING: "Well actually we have already issued a statement regretting, deeply regretting the outcome of Security Council deliberations. We have been telling constantly that the Syrian government should stop immediately the violence and the Syrian government should implement the plan of action decided by the Arab League. And this is a point I raised with the Secretary General right now.'' CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) YUTAKA IIMURA, SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN FOR THE MIDDLE EAST, SAYING "And secondly we discussed about the Palestinian issue. And as we are in a very difficult position in terms of the peace process, I think we should encourage particularly the Israeli government to be more flexible. But also as I'm going to meet Abu Mazen in a couple of days I would like to tell him that the most important way to reach peace is the direct negotiations with Israel, which requires Israeli flexibility naturally.'' TV SCREEN SHOWING ARAB LEAGUE LOGO EXTERIOR OF ARAB LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS
- Embargoed: 21st February 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt, Egypt
- Country: Egypt
- Reuters ID: LVA94HEA8XDN8ZP9XXFEIR2MPKP0
- Story Text: Japan's Special Envoy for the Middle East Yutaka Iimura met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby on Sunday (February 5) to discuss ways to resolve the ongoing bloodshed in Syria.
The pair also talked about Israel and Iimura said the government there needed to be more flexible in its approach to peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
After their meeting Iimura spoke to the media, stressing that Japan was keen to cooperate with Arab League initiatives to halt the violence in Syria that has claimed some 5,000 lives according to UN figures.
Russia and China on Saturday (February 4) blocked a UN resolution that would have urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to give up power.
Iimura was asked for his reaction to the double veto.
"Well actually we have already issued a statement regretting, deeply regretting the outcome of Security Council deliberations. We have been telling constantly that the Syrian government should stop immediately the violence and the Syrian government should implement the plan of action decided by Arab League. And this is a point I raised with the Secretary General right now,'' said Iimura.
Leaders from around the world have expressed outrage to the vote as Syrian forces continue to bombard the city of Homs, killing more than 200 people in the worst night of bloodshed of the 11-month uprising.
Japan's special envoy is on a tour of the Middle East and will also hold talks with Palestinian leaders.
"And secondly we discussed about the Palestinian issue. And as we are in a very difficult position in terms of the peace process, I think we should encourage particularly the Israeli government to be more flexible. But also as I'm going to meet Abu Mazen in a couple of days I would like to tell him that the most important way to reach peace is the direct negotiations with Israel, which requires Israeli flexibility naturally,'' said Iimura referring to the leader of the Palestinian President, also known as Mahmoud Abbas.
The Arab League continued to fly its flag at half mast in memory of the 74 people killed at a football match in the Egyptian city of Port Said on Wednesday (February 1). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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