The Friends of Syria conference in Tunisia on Friday agreed that the killings by the regime of Bashar Al Assad must stop. Now. So far, in a year of brutal repression and violence against anti-government protesters and Free Syrian Army fighters, more than 7,000 people have died, with thousands more being held in the chilling Syrian prison system.
The gathering in Tunisia on Friday was supposed to present a unified front in dealing with the Syrian strongman and his security forces. The divisions within the ranks of the parties present show just how difficult it will be to forge ahead with a unified solution — and getting the killings to end.
All agreed on the need for immediate humanitarian aid for the residents of Homs. So far, at least 500 people have been killed there during a full-blown offensive from Syrian artillery and forces on the ground.
And there is unity on the need for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid to reach residents of Homs, and for those injured in the fighting to receive immediate and proper medical attention.
The US has committed $10 million for humanitarian aid, and other partners are equally committed to providing relief and medical assistance. And all agreed that Al Assad must be held accountable for the crimes he has committed and sanctioned against his people. But as to when and how the violence is to be ended, there is little consensus.
Qatar voiced the need for an Arab peace-keeping force to be deployed in Syria, providing a buffer between pro- and anti-Al Assad forces. Saudi Arabia's delegation walked out of the meeting because it believed the gathering didn't do enough to end the crisis and killings.
For those at the wrong end of Al Assad's weaponry, unified and determined action is needed from outside. Now.
