Editorial
Escalation in Syria
The UN must weigh in immediately
The crisis in Syria appears to be reaching a decisive phase. With the civil war now close to the capital and with the deaths in an explosion of some senior figures in the regime on Wednesday, the enervated nature of the Assad outfit becomes all too obvious.
While no one would condone the tragic happenings in the country, it is nevertheless true that what is happening today is largely a consequence of the regime's obduracy. It has never had the time or the inclination to read the writing on the wall. With the Arab Spring causing havoc in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, President Bashar ought to have had the foresight to go for change. That he did not is symbolic of sadness to the extreme.
The explosions and deaths in Damascus do not, of course, spell the fall of the regime any time soon. But the fact that those who have died were close to Assad is a hint of the bigger tragedy that may lie ahead for the regime.
For President Assad, the opportunity, however dwindling, is still there for an honourable exit. He cannot be in denial mode any more. Neither can he pretend that external forces are arrayed against him. His regime has over the months killed hundreds of citizens with little thought to the consequences. Now that the war is coming closer to Damascus, he must act in a way that does not lead to a recreation of the chaotic conditions which characterized Libya in the final days of Muammar Gaddafi.
For the international community and especially for the UN, it is time to come together in the interest of Syria's people. A regime which kills its own people without qualm does not deserve to survive. Bashar Assad has his options before him.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments