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No sign Assad meeting peace deal commitments: US

WASHINGTON — Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has shown no sign so far that his government is sticking to a peace plan to end the fighting in Syria just hours before a UN deadline, the White House said Monday.

"We certainly have seen no sign yet of the Assad regime abiding by its commitments, which is obviously quite unfortunate," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

Under a peace deal brokered by UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, Syria's armed forces are supposed to withdraw from protest centers on Tuesday, with a complete end to fighting set for 48 hours later.

But the truce appeared in jeopardy after Damascus said Sunday it would only meet its side of the bargain if rebels first handed over written guarantees to stop fighting, a demand rejected by rebel army chief Colonel Riyadh al-Asaad.

"The international community, including, obviously, the United States, is unanimous in its support for special envoy Kofi Annan's mission to bring an end to the violence and begin a Syrian-led political process toward democracy," Carney said.

"The deadline, as you know, for the Syrians to begin their military -- or rather, to end their military withdrawal -- is April 10.

"So we will see what happens come April 10 and we will look to Kofi Annan to make an assessment on the behavior by the Syrian regime."

At least 105 people were killed on Monday as fresh clashes raged, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said after weekend violence claimed almost 180 lives, most of them civilians.

Tension also escalated with neighboring Turkey after shots across the border wounded two Syrians and a Turkish translator near a refugee camp hosting people who escaped from forces loyal to Assad.

"We condemn all the attacks that have been launched, the brutal violence against the Syrian people," Carney said.

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Reply 1

cl_steele

New Zealand continues to be appalled by the senseless killing still ongoing in Syria and the incursion into Turkey. We urges Mr Assad to honour his peace commitments immediately.

Reply 2

DebatingGreg

Syria's position is disgraceful, and Mr Assad is isolating himself from peace, stability and the rest of the civilised world.

Reply 3

jakemittle

Nigeria is appalled by Assad and hopes that he will cease killing his own people

Reply 4

knoxuk

Greece is disgusted by these unlawful killings and urges for a swift ending to the bloodshed in Syria.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 5

RoryS

Qatar & the IAED is appalled by Syria's current position and I urge the Syrian MUN Representative to make a statement on the country's behalf.

ak137

QFA

Reply 6

Kiss

Though the US feels action must be taken, we cannot commit ourselves to this conflict. We call upon the Arab League, particuarlly Turkey in light of recent crossborder firings, to intervene and help bring stability.

Reply 7

Moleman1996

Original post by Kiss

Tunisia would point out that the Arab League recently voted to send a peacekeeping force to syria, which was a proposal made by Tunisia. In light of recent events however, Tunisia will be pushing the league to consider further intervention (ooc: if we can get any activity that is!)

Reply 8

Darren-M

Australia is horrified by the continued violence occurring daily within Syria and has little hope that Assad will abide by the Thursday deadline. We continue to support Kofi Annan's attempts at restoring stability to the region but we believe the Syrian government is deliberately escalating the situation.

As well as the atrocities committed by members of the armed forces and security forces in Syria in relation to the massacring of civilians, we particularly condemn the violation of the sovereignty of Turkey and other countries neighbouring Syria.