RUSSIA:Syrian opposition seeks settlement with no foreign interference + Related Articles

Laaska News  Nov. 15,2011

Burhan Ghalioun. Photo: AFP  

The Syrian opposition is interested in settling the current conflict in Syria without foreign interference, said the head of the Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun in a statement in the run-up to his talks with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow today.

We want to rid our country of the crisis and do not reject dialogue, but shall not discuss problems with those who kill Syrians, Ghalioun said.

Syrian human rights activists said earlier today that no less than 70 people died in clashes between antigovernment protesters and security force units in Syria’s different cities yesterday.

The opposition is pressing for President Bashar Assad’s resignation.

Syrian delegation in Moscow

A delegation of Syrian opposition is in Moscow to discuss, among other things, the recent developments in Syria where a decision by the Arab League to suspend the country’s participating has triggered a series of violent attacks on foreign diplomatic missions.

The suspension is to take effect on Wednesday if the Syrian authorities continue to ignore a settlement plan proposed by the Arab League.

Meanwhile, the EU has introduced additional economic sanctions against Damascus, freezing European loans and technological assistance programs.

The EU also added a number of top military officers to its black list of Syrian officials accused of ordering violent crackdowns on civilian protesters.  The blacklisted officials are banned from entering EU countries and will see their European bank accounts frozen.

(TASS, Vesti),VOR.

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EU tightens Syria sanctions, urges UN to follow

The European Union says it will impose new sanctions on Syria and ask the United Nations to step up action against the country.

During their meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU foreign ministers agreed to impose asset freezes and travel bans on 18 more Syrians. They will also suspend the European Investment Bank’s financial and technological assistance to Syria.

The EU has been imposing sanctions in phases against Syria, where the government of President Bashar al-Assad continues violent crackdowns on anti-government protesters.

The EU imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Assad himself in May, and banned its member countries from importing crude oil from Syria in September.

In Monday’s meeting, the EU ministers also agreed to urge the UN Security Council to take stronger steps.

Last month, Russia and China blocked a Security Council resolution warning Syria of stronger actions if it did not halt its attacks on civilians.

The EU ministers also welcomed the Arab League’s decision on Saturday to suspend Syria’s membership, after the country accepted a League mediation plan but continued its crackdown.
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EU to consult with Russia on Syria

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton. Photo: EPA   

The EU intends to seek the agreement of Russia when it returns to the problem of Syria in the UN Security Council said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton.

From November 17th to the 18th Moscow will host the Permanent Council of Russia-EU partnership. During the meeting Ashton will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The EU Council on Monday approved a number of new sanctions against Syria. Some European countries believe that the Security Council should adopt tough resolutions against Damascus.

This position was not shared by Moscow or Beijing.

TASS,VOR.
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