Qatari PM Calls for 'Practical and Effective' Arab Role in Syria

Doha, June 25 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani described the EU's move to tighten sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime as 'significant measure,' noting that what is more important is that the Security Council develops a shared view towards the Syrian issue. HE the Premier regretted the Security Council's failure to enact UN Charter VII so far, in line with the Arab League's recommendations in its last meeting. "It is said that a meeting may be held in Geneva among the five permanent members of UN Security Council and some Arab and international organizations to discuss the situation in Syria. We hope that the plan of UN-Arab League joint envoy to Syria Kofi Annan will be endorsed under Chapter VII because we are aware of the extent of destruction and killing that took place in Syria, which requires faster and more serious move by the international community," HE the Premier told Al Jazeera channel. Asked about the point of the wait and relying on the UN and the Security Council to react to the daily killings in Syria if it is an Arab affair, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said that in a few days, all the sides will know if the five permanent Security Council members will meet or not and whether there will be a draft resolution in the Security Council. "The Arab League and the Arab countries must play a practical and effective role to stop these massacres, but, unfortunately, this did not happen so far," HE the Premier said. The Qatari official noted that the Arab Ministerial Committee on Syria is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and feels sorry for what is happening, but added that there should be an 'urgent action' to stop the violence. "We, in the (Arab Ministerial Committee on Syria) and Qatar support any move to stop the bloodbath in Syria," HE added. On fears that Syria turns to a battle land between the regional countries and whether this concerns are an obstacle to any Arab intervention to stop the bloodshed, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said: I do not think that this is said to prevent interference, in fact and honesty what is happening now in Syria is a Holocaust ... and I am surprised, alas, how can the regime believe that it governs Syria in this way", he added. HE added that it is time that the regime started thinking to peacefully transfer the political authority in order to avoid any scenario that might affect both the region and Syria On the recommendations of international organizations to refer perpetrators to the International Tribunal, is that expected to include the head of the regime, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said: "This matter is up to the Court of course, and I cannot say for sure about this .. But I think that anyone who commits crimes must be punished", he noted. The situation in Syria is now unfortunately deteriorating, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister noted.(QNA)