Qatar Premier: Arab Committee Gives Syria until Tomorrow to Arab Protocol

Doha, December 03 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has said the Arab Ministerial Committee on the Syrian crisis has given Syria until tomorrow, Sunday, to sign the Arab protocol and agree to the Arab initiative. In a joint press briefing with Arab League Secretary General Dr Nabil El Araby at the end of the Arab Ministerial Committee on Syria in Doha Saturday, HE the Prime Minister said that Damascus sent a number of messages requesting certain clarifications all of which had been answered and returned immediately to the Syrian side. "We asked the Syrian Foreign Minister to come tomorrow and sign the paper in the event of their consent. And we are awaiting an answer from them." HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said he had spoken with the Syrian foreign minister in Jeddah on this issue, and that he spoke with him by phone today while the committee's meeting was going on. His Excellency explained that this course - despite the end of ultimatums - is an attempt to persuade the Syrian side that the best way is to sign the protocol and agree to the Arab initiative, pointing out that there had been some inquiries and clarifications requested by Syria which have been considered in the protocol but no key changes were made. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani expressed the hope that these Arab efforts result in a solution to the Syrian crisis, warning that if the situation continues as it is then it will get out of Arab control. "Our fear as Arabs is that the continuation of the situation will cause things to get out of Arab control. This is something disturbing." Doha, December 03 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has said the Arab Ministerial Committee on the Syrian crisis has given Syria until tomorrow, Sunday, to sign the Arab protocol and agree to the Arab initiative. In a joint press briefing with Arab League Secretary General Dr Nabil El Araby at the end of the Arab Ministerial Committee on Syria in Doha Saturday, HE the Prime Minister said that Damascus sent a number of messages requesting certain clarifications all of which had been answered and returned immediately to the Syrian side. "We asked the Syrian Foreign Minister to come tomorrow and sign the paper in the event of their consent. And we are awaiting an answer from them." HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said he had spoken with the Syrian foreign minister in Jeddah on this issue, and that he spoke with him by phone today while the committee's meeting was going on. His Excellency explained that this course - despite the end of ultimatums - is an attempt to persuade the Syrian side that the best way is to sign the protocol and agree to the Arab initiative, pointing out that there had been some inquiries and clarifications requested by Syria which have been considered in the protocol but no key changes were made. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani expressed the hope that these Arab efforts result in a solution to the Syrian crisis, warning that if the situation continues as it is then it will get out of Arab control. "Our fear as Arabs is that the continuation of the situation will cause things to get out of Arab control. This is something disturbing." Replying to a question on the numerous deadlines given to the Syrian side, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said in my personal opinion we did not give a deadline, but the situation in Syria is complicated and needs to be handled with wisdom, in addition to that we should ensure that no divisions are caused in the Arab ranks. He added we all as Arabs want to go in this subject, adding that some Arabs want to speed up efforts in this issue while others want a slow move. But he noted that everyone agrees that the situation in Syria is unacceptable and cannot continue on this way. He added we appreciate the views of some Arabs who said that if the Syrian government want to sign we should allow them to sign, and if sent an inquiry there should be no objection to that. We appreciate and welcome that. But to those promoting rumors that there is expedition to internationalize the case, we say we did not think about the issue of internationalization. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said even if we did not think about the issue of internationalization, but if this situation continues eventually it will be internationalized, citing what was announced yesterday by the Human Rights Council. His Excellency reiterated the keenness of the Arab League to find a solution to the Syrian crisis within the Arab framework, adding we are looking for an Arab solution .. and we are trying to convince the Syrian side that there was no Arab conspiracy against them and that no one wants to harm them. All that we want is to stop the bloodshed, murder and release of prisoners so that we can help Syria, he added. (END)