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| Syria: Baba Amr cleared but uprising continues - live updates | Syria: Baba Amr cleared but uprising continues - live updates |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 12.00pm: Turkey's anger over French moves to outlaw denial of the Armenian genocide appears to have no bounds. | |
| Ankara now plans to snub French president Nicolas Sarkozy by not inviting him to the Friends of Syria meeting due to take place in Istanbul later this month. | |
| The Turkish daily Zaman reports reports that the French foreign minister Alain Juppe will be asked to come but Sarkozy won't as a protest at a French bill to criminalise denial of claims that Armenians were subject to genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. | |
| China and Russia, who stayed away from last month's Friends of Syria meeting in Tunis, will be invited to the meeting, Zaman reports. | |
| Despite the row of the Armenian genocide France and Turkey have led international condemnation of Syria. Both countries initially raised the prospect of setting up humanitarian corridors in Syria to protect civilians fleeing the violence, but have since gone quiet on the idea. | |
| Over the weekend Turkey's foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu called the violence in Syria "a crime against humanity". Juppe made a similar claim last month. | |
| 11.42am: Nose jobs aren't something you'd associated with Egypt's devout Islamist party al-Nour. Indeed plastic surgery is forbidden for Salafists. This is presumably why new MP Anwar el-Balkimy was so coy about the bandages on his face. | |
| He blamed them on an armed assault, but it turns out he had had plastic surgery in a private clinic. | |
| Balkimy now has a new schnoz but his political career is over, according to al-Ahram. Its account of the sorry saga is here (it is worth a click for the before and after pictures alone). | |
| 10.38am: Pro-Assad supporters held a rally outside the Russian embassy in Damascus yesterday to show support for Vladimir Putin. | 10.38am: Pro-Assad supporters held a rally outside the Russian embassy in Damascus yesterday to show support for Vladimir Putin. |
| Today Syria's state media has lauded his re election as president. "Russia brings back the strong man to the Kremlin," read one headline, AP reports (via @Brown_Moses). | Today Syria's state media has lauded his re election as president. "Russia brings back the strong man to the Kremlin," read one headline, AP reports (via @Brown_Moses). |
| There has been some speculation that with the election out the way, Putin may take a tougher stance with Damascus. The theory is that he now no longer needs to be seen by his electorate to be standing up to the west. We'll see. | There has been some speculation that with the election out the way, Putin may take a tougher stance with Damascus. The theory is that he now no longer needs to be seen by his electorate to be standing up to the west. We'll see. |
| In the meantime Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is due to discuss the Syria crisis, with foreign ministers from the six Gulf states in Cairo on Saturday, according to Syria's state news agency. The meeting had been due to take place in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday. Gulf ministers were reported to be keen to express their disappointment with Russia's repeated blocking of UN resolutions on Syria. | In the meantime Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is due to discuss the Syria crisis, with foreign ministers from the six Gulf states in Cairo on Saturday, according to Syria's state news agency. The meeting had been due to take place in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday. Gulf ministers were reported to be keen to express their disappointment with Russia's repeated blocking of UN resolutions on Syria. |
| 10.15am: China is to send former ambassador to Li Huaxin as envoy to Syria tomorrow as part of its six-point plan to end the violence, Reuters reports. | 10.15am: China is to send former ambassador to Li Huaxin as envoy to Syria tomorrow as part of its six-point plan to end the violence, Reuters reports. |
| It quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying: | It quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying: |
| China believes that based on recent developments and changes in Syria, it is necessary for us to further explain our policies and proposals. | China believes that based on recent developments and changes in Syria, it is necessary for us to further explain our policies and proposals. |
| Currently the situation in Syria continues to heat up and become more serious. The conflicts between various parties in Syria remain stark, and the international community has differing views on how to ease the Syrian crisis as quickly as possible. | Currently the situation in Syria continues to heat up and become more serious. The conflicts between various parties in Syria remain stark, and the international community has differing views on how to ease the Syrian crisis as quickly as possible. |
| Although conditions are extremely complicated, and the situation remains tense, China still maintains that a political solution offers the fundamental escape from the Syrian crisis. | Although conditions are extremely complicated, and the situation remains tense, China still maintains that a political solution offers the fundamental escape from the Syrian crisis. |
| China's six point plan was set out in the state's mouthpiece the People's Daily. | China's six point plan was set out in the state's mouthpiece the People's Daily. |
| Here it is in full: | Here it is in full: |
| 1. The Syrian government and all parties concerned should immediately, fully and unconditionally cease all acts of violence, particularly violence against innocent civilians. Various factions in Syria should express political aspirations through non-violent means. | 1. The Syrian government and all parties concerned should immediately, fully and unconditionally cease all acts of violence, particularly violence against innocent civilians. Various factions in Syria should express political aspirations through non-violent means. |
| 2. The Syrian government and various factions should bear in mind the long-term and fundamental interests of their country and people, immediately launch an inclusive political dialogue with no preconditions attached or outcome predetermined through impartial mediation of [Kofi Annan] the joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, agree on a comprehensive and detailed roadmap and timetable for reform through consultation and implement them as soon as possible with a view to restoring national stability and public order. | 2. The Syrian government and various factions should bear in mind the long-term and fundamental interests of their country and people, immediately launch an inclusive political dialogue with no preconditions attached or outcome predetermined through impartial mediation of [Kofi Annan] the joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, agree on a comprehensive and detailed roadmap and timetable for reform through consultation and implement them as soon as possible with a view to restoring national stability and public order. |
| 3. China supports the UN' s leading role in coordinating humanitarian relief efforts. China maintains that under the precondition of respecting Syria's sovereignty, the UN or an impartial body acceptable to all parties should make an objective and comprehensive assessment of the humanitarian situation in Syria, ensure the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid. China is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people. We oppose anyone interfering in Syria' s internal affairs under the pretext of "humanitarian" issues. | 3. China supports the UN' s leading role in coordinating humanitarian relief efforts. China maintains that under the precondition of respecting Syria's sovereignty, the UN or an impartial body acceptable to all parties should make an objective and comprehensive assessment of the humanitarian situation in Syria, ensure the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid. China is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people. We oppose anyone interfering in Syria' s internal affairs under the pretext of "humanitarian" issues. |
| 4. Relevant parties of the international community should earnestly respect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and the right of the Syrian people to independently choose their political system and development path, create conditions and provide necessary and constructive assistance for the various political factions of Syria to launch dialogue, and respect the outcome of dialogue. China does not approve of armed interference or pushing for "regime change" in Syria, and believes that use or threat of sanctions does not help to resolve this issue appropriately. | 4. Relevant parties of the international community should earnestly respect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and the right of the Syrian people to independently choose their political system and development path, create conditions and provide necessary and constructive assistance for the various political factions of Syria to launch dialogue, and respect the outcome of dialogue. China does not approve of armed interference or pushing for "regime change" in Syria, and believes that use or threat of sanctions does not help to resolve this issue appropriately. |
| 5. China welcomes the appointment of the joint special envoy on the Syrian crisis by the UN and the AL and supports him in playing a constructive role in bringing about the political resolution of the crisis. China supports the active efforts made by the Arab states and the AL to promote a political solution to the crisis. | 5. China welcomes the appointment of the joint special envoy on the Syrian crisis by the UN and the AL and supports him in playing a constructive role in bringing about the political resolution of the crisis. China supports the active efforts made by the Arab states and the AL to promote a political solution to the crisis. |
| 6. Members of the security council should strictly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. As a permanent member of the security council, China is ready to earnestly fulfil its responsibilities, engage in equal-footed, patient and full consultation with other parties on the political solution to the Syrian crisis in an effort to safeguard the unity of the Security Council. | 6. Members of the security council should strictly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. As a permanent member of the security council, China is ready to earnestly fulfil its responsibilities, engage in equal-footed, patient and full consultation with other parties on the political solution to the Syrian crisis in an effort to safeguard the unity of the Security Council. |
| 9.53am: Amnesty has cancelled a visit to Bahrain, days after the Juan Mendez, the UN's special rapporteur on torture suddenly called off a visit to the kingdom. | 9.53am: Amnesty has cancelled a visit to Bahrain, days after the Juan Mendez, the UN's special rapporteur on torture suddenly called off a visit to the kingdom. |
| Amnesty said it halted its planned visit after the authorities in Bahrain imposed a five day visa limit. In a statement it said: | Amnesty said it halted its planned visit after the authorities in Bahrain imposed a five day visa limit. In a statement it said: |
The Bahraini authorities have repeatedly stated their commitment to undertake human rights reform and to cooperate with international human rights organizations. These new restrictions contradict such commitment. | The Bahraini authorities have repeatedly stated their commitment to undertake human rights reform and to cooperate with international human rights organizations. These new restrictions contradict such commitment. |
| Bahrain says it is considering revising its visa regulations. | Bahrain says it is considering revising its visa regulations. |
| Bahrain's minister of human rights Fatima Al Balooshi told Amnesty representatives that Bahrain was willing to be flexible over visas. | Bahrain's minister of human rights Fatima Al Balooshi told Amnesty representatives that Bahrain was willing to be flexible over visas. |
| In a statement Bahrain expressed disappointment with Amnesty's statement and said its planned visit was unrelated to the postponed trip by UN's special rapporteur. | In a statement Bahrain expressed disappointment with Amnesty's statement and said its planned visit was unrelated to the postponed trip by UN's special rapporteur. |
| 9.41am: Member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency begin a week-long meeting today focused on the debate over Iran's nuclear programme, at a time when it threatens to become the casus belli in a new Middle East war, writes Julian Borger. | 9.41am: Member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency begin a week-long meeting today focused on the debate over Iran's nuclear programme, at a time when it threatens to become the casus belli in a new Middle East war, writes Julian Borger. |
| The gorilla in the boardroom today and for most of the week will be the report by the agency's director general, Yukiya Amano, on Iran's compliance or lack thereof .... | The gorilla in the boardroom today and for most of the week will be the report by the agency's director general, Yukiya Amano, on Iran's compliance or lack thereof .... |
| There is evidence of a rush by the Iranian authorities to create facts on the ground that make it look like they have achieved more than is actually the case. This may reflect the urgency of harried technicians trying to keep up with the pre-election boasts of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but it may also be an attempt to establish a strong bargaining position in anticipation of serious negotiations. The regime has said it is ready for new talks, although a time and a venue have yet to be agreed. | There is evidence of a rush by the Iranian authorities to create facts on the ground that make it look like they have achieved more than is actually the case. This may reflect the urgency of harried technicians trying to keep up with the pre-election boasts of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but it may also be an attempt to establish a strong bargaining position in anticipation of serious negotiations. The regime has said it is ready for new talks, although a time and a venue have yet to be agreed. |
| So while the IAEA board will convene today to consider an Iranian regime that is clearly intransigent and defiant, the Russian, Chinese and non-aligned countries will have plenty of material to point to in support of their arguments that there is still time for diplomacy and that the agency should refrain from taking dramatic actions that could be interpreted as a trigger for war. | So while the IAEA board will convene today to consider an Iranian regime that is clearly intransigent and defiant, the Russian, Chinese and non-aligned countries will have plenty of material to point to in support of their arguments that there is still time for diplomacy and that the agency should refrain from taking dramatic actions that could be interpreted as a trigger for war. |
| Read the post in full on Julian's Global Security blog. | Read the post in full on Julian's Global Security blog. |
| 8.37am: (all times GMT) Welcome to Middle East Live. What next in Syria after the fall of Baba Amr? | 8.37am: (all times GMT) Welcome to Middle East Live. What next in Syria after the fall of Baba Amr? |
| "The Syrian regime has won one battle in a war it is not guaranteed to win," Nabil Boumonsef, a columnist at Beirut's an-Nahar newspaper, told Reuters. Like other analyst says events in Homs will radicalise the Syrian opposition and prolong the conflict. | "The Syrian regime has won one battle in a war it is not guaranteed to win," Nabil Boumonsef, a columnist at Beirut's an-Nahar newspaper, told Reuters. Like other analyst says events in Homs will radicalise the Syrian opposition and prolong the conflict. |
| Here's a roundup of the latest developments: | Here's a roundup of the latest developments: |
| Syria | Syria |
| • The Syrian authorities have begun "removing debris" from the devastated Baba Amr area of Homs. Before it fell to the Syrian army last Thursday, an official ominously said that the area would be "cleaned". There is little information about the fate of up to 20,000 residents thought to be there when the siege began four weeks ago. | • The Syrian authorities have begun "removing debris" from the devastated Baba Amr area of Homs. Before it fell to the Syrian army last Thursday, an official ominously said that the area would be "cleaned". There is little information about the fate of up to 20,000 residents thought to be there when the siege began four weeks ago. |
| • The International Committee of the Red Cross plans to try to deliver aid again to Homs today despite being repeatedly denied access to the worst hit areas. On Sunday the ICRC delivered aid to the nearby village of Abel, where if found a "considerable" number of families who had fled from Baba Amr. A seven-truck ICRC convoy has been waiting since Friday to enter Baba Amr. | • The International Committee of the Red Cross plans to try to deliver aid again to Homs today despite being repeatedly denied access to the worst hit areas. On Sunday the ICRC delivered aid to the nearby village of Abel, where if found a "considerable" number of families who had fled from Baba Amr. A seven-truck ICRC convoy has been waiting since Friday to enter Baba Amr. |
| • Lebanon is bracing itself for a new influx of Syrian refugees after up to 2,000 people fleeing the military onslaught in Homs were reported to be trying to reach the border. "Between one and two thousand [Syrians] are in the process of coming from Syria to Lebanon," the UNHCR's deputy representative in Lebanon, Jean Paul Cavalieri, told Reuters. Save the Children said some of children fleeing the violence in Syria are showing signs of post-traumatic stress. | • Lebanon is bracing itself for a new influx of Syrian refugees after up to 2,000 people fleeing the military onslaught in Homs were reported to be trying to reach the border. "Between one and two thousand [Syrians] are in the process of coming from Syria to Lebanon," the UNHCR's deputy representative in Lebanon, Jean Paul Cavalieri, told Reuters. Save the Children said some of children fleeing the violence in Syria are showing signs of post-traumatic stress. |
| • The Syrian army shelled other parts of Homs and nearby areas in an effort to regain control of the area, anti-government activists told the LA Times. Rastan, Tall Kalakh and Qusair, to which Free Syrian Army rebels were said to have fled, were all shelled they said. A rebel officer said: | • The Syrian army shelled other parts of Homs and nearby areas in an effort to regain control of the area, anti-government activists told the LA Times. Rastan, Tall Kalakh and Qusair, to which Free Syrian Army rebels were said to have fled, were all shelled they said. A rebel officer said: |
| They finished with Baba Amr, and now they have turned their attention to [another Homs neighbourhood] Khaldiyeh and the surrounding villages. They want to finish all of the Free Syrian Army, from Homs to its entirety. They will destroy the whole village just so they can get inside. | They finished with Baba Amr, and now they have turned their attention to [another Homs neighbourhood] Khaldiyeh and the surrounding villages. They want to finish all of the Free Syrian Army, from Homs to its entirety. They will destroy the whole village just so they can get inside. |
| • The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committee in Syria, claimed 62 people were killed on Sunday. They included seven children. | • The activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committee in Syria, claimed 62 people were killed on Sunday. They included seven children. |
| • Scores of rebel fighters have vowed to fight to defend the town of Rastan, north of Homs. | • Scores of rebel fighters have vowed to fight to defend the town of Rastan, north of Homs. |
| The video was uploaded on Sunday. | The video was uploaded on Sunday. |
| • Around 13 French officers are being held by Syrian authorities in Homs, according to Lebanon's Daily Star. The group is in a field hospital in central city of Homs, it claimed citing a Damascus-based pro-Syrian Palestinian source. | • Around 13 French officers are being held by Syrian authorities in Homs, according to Lebanon's Daily Star. The group is in a field hospital in central city of Homs, it claimed citing a Damascus-based pro-Syrian Palestinian source. |
| It was not clear why the officers were in Syria, when they had arrived or whether they were part of a larger contingent in the city. | It was not clear why the officers were in Syria, when they had arrived or whether they were part of a larger contingent in the city. |
| • Heavy fighting broke out overnight between armoured forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad and rebels who launched coordinated attacks on army roadblocks across the southern city of Deraa on the border with Jordan, according to activists. But opposition sources say rebels loosely organised under the Free Syrian Army banner have intensified assaults on loyalist targets in southern, north and eastern Syria in the last few days to relieve pressure in the city of Homs, where troops overran the rebel district of Baba Amr last week. | • Heavy fighting broke out overnight between armoured forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad and rebels who launched coordinated attacks on army roadblocks across the southern city of Deraa on the border with Jordan, according to activists. But opposition sources say rebels loosely organised under the Free Syrian Army banner have intensified assaults on loyalist targets in southern, north and eastern Syria in the last few days to relieve pressure in the city of Homs, where troops overran the rebel district of Baba Amr last week. |
| Iran | Iran |
| • Barack Obama has admonished Israel for "too much loose talk of war" with Iran and said the world has a responsibility to give sanctions an opportunity to discourage Tehran from pursuing a nuclear weapon. Speaking before a meeting on Monday with the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, Obama sought to head off pressure for him to commit to military action against Tehran if it crosses specified "red lines" in its nuclear programme. | • Barack Obama has admonished Israel for "too much loose talk of war" with Iran and said the world has a responsibility to give sanctions an opportunity to discourage Tehran from pursuing a nuclear weapon. Speaking before a meeting on Monday with the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, Obama sought to head off pressure for him to commit to military action against Tehran if it crosses specified "red lines" in its nuclear programme. |
| Libya | Libya |
| • Two British journalists arrested last month by a Libyan militia group in a direct challenge to the authority of the country's new government have been accused of spying. The militia staged a late-night press conference in a Tripoli hotel to unveil what they said was evidence of improper activities. Gareth Montgomery-Johnson, 36, and reporter Nicholas Davies, 37, who work for Iran's state-owned Press TV, were arrested 23 February by a Misrata militia based in Tripoli. | • Two British journalists arrested last month by a Libyan militia group in a direct challenge to the authority of the country's new government have been accused of spying. The militia staged a late-night press conference in a Tripoli hotel to unveil what they said was evidence of improper activities. Gareth Montgomery-Johnson, 36, and reporter Nicholas Davies, 37, who work for Iran's state-owned Press TV, were arrested 23 February by a Misrata militia based in Tripoli. |