Rasmussen Rules Out No-Fly Zone for Syria
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen ruled out the possibility of a no-fly zone for Syria, in remarks to an Agence France Presse correspondent as he travelled Monday to Tripoli to mark the end of the alliance's air war in Libya.
"It's totally ruled out. We have no intention whatsoever to intervene in Syria," Rasmussen said when asked if there was a possibility NATO would now spearhead a no-fly zone in Syria.
Rasmussen landed unannounced in Tripoli hours before NATO's mission in Libya was due to end officially, seven months after Western powers fired the first barrage of missiles against Moammar Gadhafi's forces in an air war that played a major role in ousting the veteran dictator.
"We have no intention whatsoever to intervene in Syria," he insisted, saying the conditions there were different to those in Libya.
"First of all we took on the responsibility for the operation in Libya because there was a clear U.N. mandate, because we had strong and active support from the countries in the region," Rasmussen said.
"Actually they contributed actively to Operation Unified Protector. None of these conditions are fulfilled in Syria. And besides, one case is not like the other. We have to take decisions on a case-by-case basis. From an overall perspective, you can't compare Libya and Syria," he said.
Syrian activists have appealed on the international community to impose a no-fly zone on Syria to protect civilians and encourage army deserters opposed to the autocratic rule of President Bashar Assad.
Rasmussen strongly condemned the Syrian regime's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters which has killed more than 3,000 people, most of them civilians, according to a U.N. toll.
"Obviously I strongly condemn the security forces' crackdown on civilians in Syria. It's absolutely outrageous. And the only way forward in Syria, like in other countries, is to accommodate the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, introduce democratic reforms," Rasmussen added.
His remarks came as the Arab League said it awaited Monday a response from Damascus to a proposed roadmap for peace, after talks Sunday in the Qatari capital with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.
Repeating previous warnings, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani told reporters after the meeting that Assad risks forcing an international intervention if he allows the violence to continue.
"The entire region is at risk of a massive storm," Sheikh Hamad said.
Pro-democracy activists have urged the Arab League to freeze Syria's membership from the 22-member organization.
31 October 2011, 14:43
118
Hypocrite! The only way in which the Syrian case differs from the the Libyian case is that it is worse. Gadaffi was charged in the ICC with indiscriminately killing just over 200 unarmed protesters. Assad has ordered the killing of well over 3,000 along with torture of many more.
Europe is not only financially bankrupt, but morally bankrupt as well.
31 October 2011, 14:43
121
.......because we had strong and active support from the countries in the region," Rasmussen said.
That is the key here. They still don't have the support of the countries in the region. Perhaps, more blood, more torture, more massacres are needed to garner more support...... what a shame!
31 October 2011, 15:04
00
What a Dumb incensitive shameless statement indeed!!! He just gave Assad a shot in the arm to go on slaughtering the Syrian free people. This is outrageously rash and unethical! Rasmussen should be asked to step down over this!!
31 October 2011, 15:11
90
SERIOUSLY!
These are some of the differences between Libya and Syria:
1: Geographic Location (Right next to Iran, Lebanon and other Shiite friendly countries)
2: Demographic Makeup (There are over 2 million Christians in Syria as well as the largest Alawite community and other religious forces within the country, backed by Rome, Backed by the Ayatollah, Backed by Russia from Weapons and Oil buying projects, backed by other international interests)
3: The Assad family and its 'secret' alliance with Israel (Syria and Israel have an active secret alliance, this was used in the Assassination of President Bachir Gemayel to prevent A Christian Lebanon from winning, and used as a pre-factor in maintaining Alawite totalitarianism in Syria for the benefit of the Jews and the Alawites)
4: Syria was created as a neutral Arab state, as far as anyone can be seriously concerned - they have maintained the interests of the Arabs throughout their history.
5: Assads are bad, but there’s worse!
31 October 2011, 15:13
10
Gabby, I guess it's back to the drawing table, my friend? It has been 14 days past your prediction, if you recall. Did you meet with Dar Falso or the Falsos to review and re-analyze past wrongs or you just keep making mistakes that you never learn from? Miss you!!! Why don't you check with "peace" above? As far as he is concerned, ASSad is here to stay because he is "an allay of israel !!!" Go figure, my friend. One Falso who is just as good as another Falso, huh!
31 October 2011, 15:20
30
Syria and Israel have a secret alliance? Israel wanted Bachir Gemayel assassinated? Huh? You know about Gemayel's May 17 agreement, right? Go play in the park!
31 October 2011, 17:08
02
Then send anti-tank rockets and short range anti aircraft rockets.
31 October 2011, 19:43
02
The difference is that Syria borders Israel and Bashar is the protector of Israel, that is the difference. However, do not read too much into this, what do you expect him to say? there is no Arab mandate yet, let alone a UN mandate, so the question is very premature at this point and thus the answer is expected. There is no need for no fly zone really, Turkey can do so much to help the rebels. Everything will happen in due time. The World decision to end Bashar has been made, the rest is details to make sure Israel is not affected, this is the precise reason why military intervention is very carefully approached.
01 November 2011, 00:10
10
ooops, I gues I was correct.
Nato not willing to send ground troops anywhere. Got it LF'rs {I cannot expect much from your intellect, else you would not be in LF}. So until you get some formidable syrian militoa going then forget about it. and again that is not even close as of this writing.
01 November 2011, 01:07
00
@peace and @Gabby:
I no longer understand you, revolutionary geniuses!
@peace says: how can they take measures against an ally of Israel?
@Gabby says: then send anti-tank rockets and short range anti-aircraft rockets.
Do you have any idea how much you confuse us? A LOT MORE THAN YOU ARE CONFUSED YOURSELVES. Please guys, have mercy on us ordinary folks. Please, you two, get together and co-ordinate. PLEASE. And if necessary, talk to your leader, cheikh Imbecile, or the other imbecile, Dr. Falso, and exchange ideas.
01 November 2011, 08:40
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To those who voted down my comment earlier :
Please indicate why you think im wrong, id love open conversation on this rather then just a thumbs up or down.
@Murad :
Ill go play in the park and have a good time doing it , thanks. Enlighten me about the May 17th Agreement rather than just act like an arrogent know it all. Back your statements with facts please. Ill be waiting
01 November 2011, 12:16
00
@rapido:
just think why this regime never did anything to free the golan heights? they talk about resistance but they let the israelis do what they want there... why?
why are the usa and europe so reluctant to do anything in syria?
they need bachar in place because he is a guarantee of peace in the golan heights!!!
so don t get confused and review your history....
01 November 2011, 13:53
01
Naharnet you discust me. You keep deleting posts. what is going on! ?
01 November 2011, 20:49
00
Cedar , I have the same problem. Many of them do not understand english
