Discussing the deployment of 300 international observers
Politically, the Security Council is expected to vote on a final version agreed upon in New York between the European group calling for tougher sanctions against Damascus and Moscow, regarding the deployment of 300 observers in Syria soon.
Diplomats in New York announced last night that the final version of the agreement had been sent to the concerned capitals for review and later voting after the removal of two paragraphs at the request of Russia, but sources mentioned concessions from both sides.
The meeting comes in the wake of Washington’s hint at sanctions under Chapter VII if Damascus does not comply with the Annan initiative.
Khaddam rules out punishing the Damascus regime
However, the former Syrian Vice President and current opposition figure, Abdel Halim Khaddam, ruled out the possibility of taking such a step in the Security Council, explaining his position by saying:
“We all know that sanctions under Chapter VII or otherwise cannot be imposed in the Security Council, considering that Russia and China will exercise their veto right. Therefore, is this a stage in the preparations for another decisive stage? I hope so.”
Khaddam said that there are other solutions to the Syrian crisis, but they are outside the Security Council, explaining that “the responsibility now lies with the group of countries that have delegitimized the regime from the beginning and demanded the departure of Bashar al-Assad and his regime, especially since what is happening in Syria reflects on the region and the interests of these countries.”
He added, “The one leading the regime in Syria is Iran, and everyone knows its ambitions and its strategy aimed at controlling the region and its resources, thus putting the world in a state of proliferation. The international community has multiple options, including the formation of this international military coalition.”
