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| Syria: Regime rejects Arab League call for peacekeepers - live updates | Syria: Regime rejects Arab League call for peacekeepers - live updates |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 11.39am: Syrian government forces in Homs are using civilians as human shields, according to one activist speaking to CNN. | |
| The claim- which cannot be verified- came from an opposition activist named Omar who told the broadcaster that troops were using detained civilians as human shields, placing them on tanks to prevent the opposition Free Syrian Army from fighting back. | |
| He added: | |
| My house is dancing. I am almost dead because of the siege. | |
| 11.13am: If a new monitoring mission is sent to Syria it should be much stronger and larger than the previous one sent by the Arab League, in the view of Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding. | |
| Doyle, who is married to a Syrian opposition activist, says: | |
| A monitoring mission needs to be led by a credible figure with an untarnished international reputation, with properly trained monitors who know how to operate in such an environment. Its size should be in the thousands to ensure it can cover all of the country. | |
| The mission also has to be independent, with its own means of communications and ability to travel everywhere at any time. It should also report in an open and transparent fashion, unafraid to point fingers at whichever parties commit atrocities. | |
| The other options are dangerous or limited. Military intervention would almost certainly make matters worse and, as we have seen, arming the opposition against a vastly superior force, is a futile exercise against a regime prepared to use any and all means... | |
| In the end there is no military exit from this crisis and from what is increasingly becoming a major civil war. The only solution is political. | |
| 11.09am: George Galloway, the controversial British former MP, describes the Syrian conflict as "a proxy war" in an article for the Morning Star. He writes: | |
| Let no one be fooled. This is a stepping stone to further war. Indeed it is a proxy for the big battle, cowing Iran and its people by one means or another in order to secure a refashioned hegemony in the region... | |
| If you fear, as you should, the possibility of the war with Iran that the Israeli hard right are pushing for, then the time is now to stand against the propaganda, meddling and drive for intervention over Syria and across the Middle East. | |
| Last week a series of emails came to light in which Galloway described Syria as "the last castle of Arab dignity" and asked an official to "convey my respect and my admiration to His Excellency the President". | |
| 10.53am: Tensions appear to be running high in Bahrain, where the leader of the large Shi'ite opposition party has urged youths to refrain from violence ahead of tomorrow's anniversary. | 10.53am: Tensions appear to be running high in Bahrain, where the leader of the large Shi'ite opposition party has urged youths to refrain from violence ahead of tomorrow's anniversary. |
| Reuters reports that Sheikh Ali Salman told a crowd of several thousand people outside Manama last night that peaceful protest was the best way to push for change. | Reuters reports that Sheikh Ali Salman told a crowd of several thousand people outside Manama last night that peaceful protest was the best way to push for change. |
| The repression has led some to respond and throw petrol bombs in the last month, and here I direct a call... that we must continue using peaceful methods. | The repression has led some to respond and throw petrol bombs in the last month, and here I direct a call... that we must continue using peaceful methods. |
| Believe me, our case is not throwing petrol bombs... We should not be dragged through that door ... We should stick to our right to protest anywhere and any time. Don't be dragged into violent action. | Believe me, our case is not throwing petrol bombs... We should not be dragged through that door ... We should stick to our right to protest anywhere and any time. Don't be dragged into violent action. |
| Meanwhile Maryam Alkhawaja of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has tweeted that her sister, the activist Zainab Alkhawaja who blogs under the name @AngryArabiya, has been detained in Manama. | Meanwhile Maryam Alkhawaja of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has tweeted that her sister, the activist Zainab Alkhawaja who blogs under the name @AngryArabiya, has been detained in Manama. |
| Zainab Alkhawaja @angryarabiya being detained on charges of illegal gathering and disturbing the peace #bahrain #feb14 #arabspring | Zainab Alkhawaja @angryarabiya being detained on charges of illegal gathering and disturbing the peace #bahrain #feb14 #arabspring |
| — Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) February 13, 2012 | — Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) February 13, 2012 |
| The last few tweets from @AngryArabiya indicate that she was on a march in the city yesterday with Nabeel Rajab, another well-known campaigner, when she was stopped by police. | The last few tweets from @AngryArabiya indicate that she was on a march in the city yesterday with Nabeel Rajab, another well-known campaigner, when she was stopped by police. |
| @NABEELRAJAB with his wife and daughter and son, walking to pearl roundabout #bahrain twitpic.com/8iwugr | @NABEELRAJAB with his wife and daughter and son, walking to pearl roundabout #bahrain twitpic.com/8iwugr |
| — angry arabiya (@angryarabiya) February 12, 2012 | — angry arabiya (@angryarabiya) February 12, 2012 |
| The final two suggest trouble. | The final two suggest trouble. |
| Police now threatning to shoot us #bahrain | Police now threatning to shoot us #bahrain |
| — angry arabiya (@angryarabiya) February 12, 2012 | — angry arabiya (@angryarabiya) February 12, 2012 |
| Nabeel and his family being shot at #bahrain twitpic.com/8iwvww | Nabeel and his family being shot at #bahrain twitpic.com/8iwvww |
| — angry arabiya (@angryarabiya) February 12, 2012 | — angry arabiya (@angryarabiya) February 12, 2012 |
| 10.42am: This video, posted by the Local Coordination Committee (LCC) opposition network, appears to show continued shelling in the Baba Amr neighbourhood today. | 10.42am: This video, posted by the Local Coordination Committee (LCC) opposition network, appears to show continued shelling in the Baba Amr neighbourhood today. |
| The Guardian is not able to verify its authenticity. | The Guardian is not able to verify its authenticity. |
| 10.31am: In Egypt, Austin Mackell, an Australian freelance journalist who writes occasionally for the Guardian, was arrested at the weekend and is now thought to be in the custody of military intelligence. | 10.31am: In Egypt, Austin Mackell, an Australian freelance journalist who writes occasionally for the Guardian, was arrested at the weekend and is now thought to be in the custody of military intelligence. |
| He was due to file an article this morning for Comment is free about the role of industrial workers' struggles in the Egyptian revolution, and had said he would be travelling to the Delta city of Mahalla (the scene of frequent factory strikes) – which is where he was arrested along with two companions. | He was due to file an article this morning for Comment is free about the role of industrial workers' struggles in the Egyptian revolution, and had said he would be travelling to the Delta city of Mahalla (the scene of frequent factory strikes) – which is where he was arrested along with two companions. |
| His case has been taken up by the Green Party in Australia. Latest indications are that he will probably be released – and then deported. | His case has been taken up by the Green Party in Australia. Latest indications are that he will probably be released – and then deported. |
| 10.15am: The Syrian government news agency, Sana, reports that President Assad has received a copy of the country's new draft constitution. He issued a presidential decree last October setting up a special committee with instructions to produce a draft within four months – which it has now done. | 10.15am: The Syrian government news agency, Sana, reports that President Assad has received a copy of the country's new draft constitution. He issued a presidential decree last October setting up a special committee with instructions to produce a draft within four months – which it has now done. |
| Plans for a new constitution have been hailed by the regime as evidence of its intention to reform and Sana suggests this will transform Syria "into an example to follow in terms of public freedoms and political plurality". | Plans for a new constitution have been hailed by the regime as evidence of its intention to reform and Sana suggests this will transform Syria "into an example to follow in terms of public freedoms and political plurality". |
| Opponents of the regime are unconvinced, pointing out that the drafting has been done without public dialogue. | Opponents of the regime are unconvinced, pointing out that the drafting has been done without public dialogue. |
| One of the most criticised parts of the existing constitution is Article 8, which says: | One of the most criticised parts of the existing constitution is Article 8, which says: |
The leading party in the society and the state is the Socialist Arab Baath Party. | The leading party in the society and the state is the Socialist Arab Baath Party. |
| This, in effect, prevents any other party from winning power in an election. | This, in effect, prevents any other party from winning power in an election. |
| 10.06am: Russia is reserving judgment on the Arab-UN peacekeeping proposal until it learns further details, the foreign minister has said this morning. | 10.06am: Russia is reserving judgment on the Arab-UN peacekeeping proposal until it learns further details, the foreign minister has said this morning. |
| Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference that the government was studying the proposal, made by the Arab League last night, but that violence would have to end before any such mission takes place, Reuters reports. | Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference that the government was studying the proposal, made by the Arab League last night, but that violence would have to end before any such mission takes place, Reuters reports. |
| So that's now two muted reactions to the proposal from the two countries that have blocked attempts to pass a UN Security Council resolution on Syria. | So that's now two muted reactions to the proposal from the two countries that have blocked attempts to pass a UN Security Council resolution on Syria. |
| Earlier today China's foreign ministry indicated that, while it backed Arab Leage mediation in the country, there was no clear support for the call for peacekeepers. Asked about the proposal, spokesman Liu Weimin was quoted by Reuters as saying: | Earlier today China's foreign ministry indicated that, while it backed Arab Leage mediation in the country, there was no clear support for the call for peacekeepers. Asked about the proposal, spokesman Liu Weimin was quoted by Reuters as saying: |
China calls for and supports the Arab League's continued efforts at political mediation, which plays a proactive and constructive role with regard to peaceful settlement of the Syrian issue. | China calls for and supports the Arab League's continued efforts at political mediation, which plays a proactive and constructive role with regard to peaceful settlement of the Syrian issue. |
| 9.45am: Syrian government tanks have failed to push into the rebel-held town of Rastan, activists have told AP. | 9.45am: Syrian government tanks have failed to push into the rebel-held town of Rastan, activists have told AP. |
| The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says Monday's attempt to storm Rastan left at least three soldiers dead. Rastan has been held by the rebels since late January. | The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says Monday's attempt to storm Rastan left at least three soldiers dead. Rastan has been held by the rebels since late January. |
| Calls to town's residents are not getting through. The telephone lines appear to be cut as they usually are during military operations. | Calls to town's residents are not getting through. The telephone lines appear to be cut as they usually are during military operations. |
| 9.24am: William Hague, the foreign secretary, has welcomed the Arab League's "significant steps" towards raising diplomatic pressure on the regime. | 9.24am: William Hague, the foreign secretary, has welcomed the Arab League's "significant steps" towards raising diplomatic pressure on the regime. |
| He said a joint Arab/UN peacekeeping force could play "an important role" in easing the conflict- but only if the regime first ends its violence. In a statement, he said: | He said a joint Arab/UN peacekeeping force could play "an important role" in easing the conflict- but only if the regime first ends its violence. In a statement, he said: |
We will discuss urgently with the Arab League and our international partners the proposals for a joint AL/UN peacekeeping force. | We will discuss urgently with the Arab League and our international partners the proposals for a joint AL/UN peacekeeping force. |
| Such a mission could have an important role to play in saving lives, providing the Assad regime ends the violence against civilians, withdraws its forces from towns and cities and establishes a credible ceasefire. | Such a mission could have an important role to play in saving lives, providing the Assad regime ends the violence against civilians, withdraws its forces from towns and cities and establishes a credible ceasefire. |
| 8.55am: Good morning and welcome to Middle East Live. Today looks to be another day of bloodshed in Syria and diplomatic wrangling in the corridors of the UN and the Arab League. | 8.55am: Good morning and welcome to Middle East Live. Today looks to be another day of bloodshed in Syria and diplomatic wrangling in the corridors of the UN and the Arab League. |
| Here's a brief summary of the latest develpments. | Here's a brief summary of the latest develpments. |
| Syria | Syria |
| •The regime has resumed its tank bombardment of Homs overnight, according to an activist quoted by Reuters who said loyalist troops had been focusing their fire on the Baba Amr and al-Waer districts of the rebellious city. Mohammad al-Hassan said the tank shelling in the former neighbourhood had been "non-stop". | •The regime has resumed its tank bombardment of Homs overnight, according to an activist quoted by Reuters who said loyalist troops had been focusing their fire on the Baba Amr and al-Waer districts of the rebellious city. Mohammad al-Hassan said the tank shelling in the former neighbourhood had been "non-stop". |
| •The Guardian's Martin Chulov reports from a rural town on the outskirts of Homs which has been transformed into a Free Syria Army stronghold. He writes: | •The Guardian's Martin Chulov reports from a rural town on the outskirts of Homs which has been transformed into a Free Syria Army stronghold. He writes: |
| Less than five months ago, this poor rural town on the outskirts of Homs was a passive place whose residents vented their anger at Bashar al-Assad at weekly rallies; never through the barrel of a gun. An army attack on 23 September changed all that. Now the town is a stronghold of armed resistance in Syria's west. | Less than five months ago, this poor rural town on the outskirts of Homs was a passive place whose residents vented their anger at Bashar al-Assad at weekly rallies; never through the barrel of a gun. An army attack on 23 September changed all that. Now the town is a stronghold of armed resistance in Syria's west. |
| •Arab leaders have called for a joint United Nations-Arab peacekeeping force to curb the bloodshed and agreed to end all diplomatic co-operation with Damascus.The Arab League, meeting in Cairo on Sunday, adopted a resolution calling for renewed international efforts to end the 11-month conflict and scrapped its own monitoring mission to Syria. The UN General Assembly is due to meet later today to discuss the ongoing crisis. | •Arab leaders have called for a joint United Nations-Arab peacekeeping force to curb the bloodshed and agreed to end all diplomatic co-operation with Damascus.The Arab League, meeting in Cairo on Sunday, adopted a resolution calling for renewed international efforts to end the 11-month conflict and scrapped its own monitoring mission to Syria. The UN General Assembly is due to meet later today to discuss the ongoing crisis. |
| •Syria swiftly rejected the call. Syria's ambassador to the Arab League, Ahmed Youssef, was quoted as saying that Saudi Arabia and Qatar were "living in a state of hysteria after their last failure at the U.N. Security Council to call for outside interference in Syria's affairs and to impose sanctions on the Syrian people." | •Syria swiftly rejected the call. Syria's ambassador to the Arab League, Ahmed Youssef, was quoted as saying that Saudi Arabia and Qatar were "living in a state of hysteria after their last failure at the U.N. Security Council to call for outside interference in Syria's affairs and to impose sanctions on the Syrian people." |
| •China has this morning refused to say whether or not it will back the Arab League's move. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin refused to directly answer repeated questions, AP reported, saying merely that China backed the Arab League's "political mediation efforts." | •China has this morning refused to say whether or not it will back the Arab League's move. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin refused to directly answer repeated questions, AP reported, saying merely that China backed the Arab League's "political mediation efforts." |
| •Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaida, called on Muslims around the world to support the Syrian rebels. The statement- the most explicit attempt yet by the terrorist group to intervene in the ongoing conflict- came in a video posted on extremist websites on Saturday. Zawahiri denounced Assad's regime as "penicious" and "cancerous". | •Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaida, called on Muslims around the world to support the Syrian rebels. The statement- the most explicit attempt yet by the terrorist group to intervene in the ongoing conflict- came in a video posted on extremist websites on Saturday. Zawahiri denounced Assad's regime as "penicious" and "cancerous". |
| Bahrain | Bahrain |
| •Security is high in and around the capital of Manama ahead of the one-year anniversary of Bahrain's uprising. Opposition groups are urging protesters to head to a site dubbed 'Freedom Square' on the outskirts of the city, which many hope to occupy. The opposition party Al Wefaq has accused the authorities of impsosing a 'siege' on Shiite villages around Manama ahead of the anniversary. | •Security is high in and around the capital of Manama ahead of the one-year anniversary of Bahrain's uprising. Opposition groups are urging protesters to head to a site dubbed 'Freedom Square' on the outskirts of the city, which many hope to occupy. The opposition party Al Wefaq has accused the authorities of impsosing a 'siege' on Shiite villages around Manama ahead of the anniversary. |