Cairo: In an unprecedented decision, the Arab League on Saturday suspended Syria and warned the regime it could face sanctions if it does not end its bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Turning up the heat on President Bashar Al Assad, Qatar's Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Al Thani said the League will impose economic and political sanctions on the regime and appealed to member states to withdraw their ambassadors from Damascus.
The decision is a symbolic blow to a nation that prides itself on being a powerhouse of Arab nationalism.
Shaikh Hamad said 18 countries voted for the suspension, which will take effect on Wednesday, while Syria, Lebanon and Yemen voted against it, and Iraq abstained. The League will also call a meeting of Syrian opposition parties, he said.
"Syria is a dear country for all of us and it pains us to take this decision," Shaikh Hamad said. "We hope there will be a brave move from Syria to stop the violence and begin a real dialogue toward real reform."
The 22-member League will monitor the situation and revisit the decision in a meeting on Wednesday in the Moroccan capital Rabat, Shaikh Hamad said.
Syria's envoy to the League, Yousuf Ahmad, called the decision "illegal and contrary to the league's internal charter".
Ahmad was quoted as saying that Syria remains committed to its pledges to the Arab League and said Damascus is calling on the "armed opposition abroad to lay down arms, surrender, stop the violence and accept a national dialogue".
Opposition unity
Arab League chief Nabeel Al Arabi echoed that sentiment. "This decision reflects a lack of foreign intervention," he said. "The Arab League has been calling on Syria to stop the violence for four months and it hasn't happened." The Arab League called on all factions to meet later this week to unify their message as a step toward dialogue with the Syrian government.
Shaikh Hamad said the League will discuss the possibility of recognising the Syrian National Council as the official voice for the movement.
