BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Syria's Foreign Minister, Walid al-Moualem says some phrases of the Arab League's monitoring protocol are "unattainable" and reflect " unbalanced stands". He said that Syria will seek clarification over the Arab League plan to send monitors to his country to help end the unrest against President Bashar al-Assad, which has killed 3,500 people. The Arab League said on Sunday it had rebuffed a request by Damascus to amend its plans for the 500-strong monitoring mission. Syria said it would send a message to Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby to ask him about the issue.
Walid Al-Moualem, Syrian FM, said, "I will reply to the Arab League Secretary General’s message and I will ask a group of questions that are based on our national sovereignty and that have emerged from our desire to clarify the reality of the monitoring mission and how to assure its members’ safety, because, the protocol ignores the co-ordination with the Syrian side.
The Foreign Minister, Walid Al-Moualem said the protocol, submitted to the Syrian government by the League to permit observers into the country to verify whether it has taken measures to protect civilians, is full of ignorance of Syrian sovereignty.
Speaking at the news conference in Damascus, Moualem appeared to offer the first signs of possible discussion with an opposition. He said the national dialogue is the foundation for building the future of Syria.
Moualem’s statement came after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s confirmation that he would press on with a crackdown against what he called armed groups targeting civilians, police, and army personnel in his country.
The League had previously given Syria three days, from November 16th, to abide by a deal to withdraw its forces from restive cities, start talks with the opposition and pave the way for a League observer team.
