Introduction to the evening news 30-01-2012

All eyes are on Moscow today and will turn to New York tomorrow: Moscow surprised everyone today by launching what looks like an initiative to put the Syrian regime and the opposition at the same table. However, the opposition hastened to reject this step requiring that Moscow call on Assad to leave power or that the dialogue be preceded by Assad’s departure. With this firm rejection, it seems that the Russian initiative was nipped in the bud.          

This development occurred on the eve of the UNSC’s session to discuss the Arab initiative at a time when a French diplomatic source revealed that the draft resolution related to the Arab initiative on Syria has support from at least 10 members of the UNSC. Yet, the resolution might not be adopted if vetoed by any of the five permanent members. In this regard the Russian Deputy Prime Minister announced this evening that his country will not endorse the new draft resolution on Syria.          

The accelerated diplomatic events coincided with accelerated military developments in Syria where the Syrian forces are proceeding quickly and engaging in decisive battles, probably in anticipation to the UNSC meeting and to solidify the regime on the ground before any decision in New York.    

In Lebanon, issues are stagnating even if their order changed. As the issue of electricity is getting more and more complex, the issue of telecommunication data came to add to the crises after the plot to target security officials was uncovered. All these issues will be at the forefront of the discussions during the cabinet session.