Introduction to the evening news 19-12-2011

As the violent crackdown in Syria entered its 10^th month two days ago, can we say that December 19^th is the end?              

On March 17^th, the uprising and the ensuing crackdown kicked off and lasted more than it did in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain or Yemen. Is December 19th the beginning of the end, or just an opportunity for both the Syrian regime and the opposition to catch their breath?             

Today, Syria signed the Arab League protocol, but the press conference held by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Walid al-Muallem showed that there are many different analyses of this protocol. Thus, it all depends on the implementation. As for the Syrian opposition, it described the regime’s stance as evasive, suggesting the deployment of deterrent forces should the crackdown continue.             

Hours after the signature of the protocol, different comments and positions surged; Moscow said that it could help stabilize the violence-stricken country; Tehran revealed that many Iranian points of view were taken into account in this protocol. As for France, it called for the beginning of the observers’ mission to be hastened, reiterating that President Assad has lost all legitimacy.         

A few minutes ago in New York, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Human Rights violations in Syria. Also, before getting into the bulletin’s details, an important update occurred in Iraq in the wake of the U.S. troops’ withdrawal, as an arrest warrant was issued for Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi.