Editorial
Desolation in Syria
It is time for regime to go
The Arab Spring, with its message of change in the Middle East, is yet to blow across Libya and Syria. Despite all the bombing of Tripoli, Muammar Gaddafi remains in charge, though in vastly weakened form. In Libya, it is a long, painful autumn rather than the spring one had hoped for. And in Syria, there are yet all the signs, metaphorically speaking, of a wintry desolation having taken over the country.
Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have since the beginning of the uprising against the regime in March killed at least 1,110 civilians. There are precious few signs yet of the regime taking a step back and towards a democratic opening. Indeed, the desperation with which Syrian citizens are making their way to the Turkish border from Jisr al-Shughour, a town on which Syrian troops are now advancing to quell opposition to Assad, is a powerful indication that the government is in little mood for compromise. And today being Friday, with anti-regime crowds expected to take to the streets after noontime prayers once again, the fear is that more people will die when ssecurity forces once again open fire.
Clearly, pressure on the regime for democratic change must be raised higher. The draft resolution placed at the UN Security Council by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal, with American backing, over action against the Bashar regime is a way out. A vetoing of the resolution by Russia will only scuttle hopes for change in Damascus. That should not happen. For President Assad, the important point must be that he cannot buck the winds of change blowing across the region. The survival of the regime will only push Syrians into dark uncertainty. It will also be a rude challenge to civilised norms of behaviour. A quick route out of the impasse must be found, one that will satisfy the people of Syria.
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